A Labour MP has quit the shadow Cabinet in protest at Keir Starmer’s failure to oppose a new Bill confirming that spies can commit crimes.
Dan Carden, a treasury spokesman, said he was determined to vote against the Covert Human Intelligence Sources Bill “as a matter of conscience”.
The resignation is the biggest challenge to the Labour leader’s handling of the controversy, which is shaping up as the biggest internal row of his six months in the job.
The legislation will grant wide-ranging legal rights to undercover agents to commit crimes in the course of their work, to “prevent disorder” or maintain “economic well-being.”
Protests have grown because it does not explicitly prohibit any crimes – even murder, or torture – as is the case in countries such as Canada.
The Home Office says such crimes are in effect ruled out because the Bill will be compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights.
But trade unions, led by Unite, also fear the legislation will authorise spying on their activities by undercover agents or police.
Sir Keir believes Labour must allow the government to put the legislation on the statute book, even if the party fails to improve it in debate later on Thursday.
The legal position is in doubt after a legal challenge in which a court only ruled three to two in the government’s favour.
But, in a resignation letter, Mr Carden said he opposed that compromise, “as a Liverpool MP and trade unionist”.
“I share the deep concerns about this legislation from across the labour movement, human rights organisations, and so many who have suffered the abuse of state power, from blacklisted workers to the Hillsborough families and survivors.”
Mr Carden is the son of a leader of the 1995 Liverpool dockers’ strike. It has also long been suspected that police infiltrated the long campaign for justice for Hillsborough victims.
His departure removes one of the last allies of Jeremy Corbyn in a senior position on the front bench, following the sacking of Rebecca Long-Bailey.
Mr Carden insisted he fully supported the Labour leader, saying: “I know you have settled on yours and the party’s position from your own experience and with sincerity.”
His resignation was praised by other Labour leftwingers. Diane Abbott, the former shadow home secretary, tweeted: “Solidarity Dan. Your constituents will be very proud of you.”
And Dawn Butler, another frontbencher under Mr Corbyn, tweeted: “Solidarity Dan. This is never [an] easy thing to do. I will be joining you voting against this bill as I think there needs to be further safeguards.”
