Unite union official Howard Beckett has claimed a specially convened meeting of Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to approve the party’s draft action plan in response to the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) report into antisemitism should have discussed suspensions and wealth taxes.

In a social media post on Tuesday, Mr Beckett, who is Unite’s representative on Labour’s ruling body, reacted angrily to the agenda of the previous day’s meeting  which had been arranged to approve  the response to the report ahead of a December 10 deadline set by the equalities watchdog.

He tweeted: “My NEC report for Unite will record being denied access to submissions to the EHRC, denied a debate on suspensions; denied debate on the importance of protecting lawful speech.

“And no debate on wealth taxes paying for the crisis. A single agenda NEC Keir Starmer!”

Responding to Mr Beckett’s tweet, Peter Mason, the Jewish Labour Movement’s national secretary, wrote:”FYI today’s  Labour NEC meeting was scheduled specifically to deal with the consequences of the EHRC’s findings that the Labour Party harassed and discriminated against Jews.”

Luke Akehurst, who also attended Monday’s NEC meeting, reacted to Mr Beckett’s post by tweeting:” This is completely disingenuous. Yesterday's NEC meeting was a special one which had to deal with a single incredibly urgent item - approving the Action Plan required by the EHRC by 10 December. The NEC standing orders prevent other business being added to a special meeting.”

The JC understands that all of the 39 person NEC were made aware in advance that the meeting, which was chaired by the veteran Labour MP  Dame Margaret Beckett, was being held for only one reason.

But in a belated attempt to disrupt the agenda, an emergency motion was tabled by the new Momentum-backed NEC member Mish Rahman – which called for debate on the treatment of those aiming to discuss the suspension of Jeremy Corbyn as a Labour MP at local meetings.

It was made clear to Mr Rahman that any emergency motion would have needed approval in advance of any meeting – and would not have been considered in an emergency meeting such as Tuesday’s which revolved around Labour’s response to the EHRC.

Mr Beckett also attempted to raise issues around Mr Corbyn at the meeting – but was halted in his attempts by the chair.

The JC has also learned of frustration amongst some on the left over Mr Beckett’s tactics.  At an earlier meeting of Labour’s NEC he led a walk out from the online event by left-wing members still loyal to Mr Corbyn.

But some younger members of the grouping believe the walkout was a “cheap stunt” which failed to get across any message.