I'm told the Labour left have just walked out – digitally – of the first meeting of Labour's new NEC, and Margaret Beckett was elected unanimously as the new chair.

Understand that new disabled rep Ellen Morrison stayed in the meeting but did not take part in the elections.

I'm told the meeting was still quorate after the walk-out, which followed points of order by Howard Beckett and Laura Pidcock. Margaret Beckett and Alice Perry elected as chair and vice-chair.

Told 13 walked out (Howard Beckett, Jayne Taylor, Ian Murray, Andi Fox, Mick Whelan, Andy Kerr, Pauline McCarthy, Lara McNeill, Mish Rahman, Laura Pidcock, Yasmine Dar, Nadia Jama, Gemma Bolton). Margaret Beckett was elected with 24 votes.

Letter has been sent from the 13 NEC member to general secretary David Evans says NEC chair decision "is not protocol and is another example of the leader promoting factional division within Labour".

EXCL – full text of letter to David Evans here: https://labourlist.org/2020/11/margaret-beckett-elected-as-nec-chair-after-left-stage-digital-walk-out/

13 NEC members say: "We have decided not to remain in the NEC meeting today in order to show very clearly how factional the decisions of the current Labour leader have become. We will be returning to future NEC meetings to be the legitimate voice of the membership"

Those backing move to choose Margaret Beckett over FBU's Ian Murray say NEC chair system was changed in 2017, when Jennie Formby was made vice-chair (over Margaret Beckett). Those opposing the move say Corbynites let Wendy Nichols become NEC chair despite left majority.