MORE than 100 trade unionists and Labour activists have urged the party to reinstate Lloyd Russell-Moyle as their parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown in an emergency rally on Saturday.

Mr Moyle was suspended from Labour following a complaint last week.

He described it as a “vexatious and politically motivated complaint” about his behaviour eight years ago but was quickly replaced as a candidate by Sir Keir Starmer’s former speech-writer Chris Ward.

Local Labour member Libby Barnes accused the Labour leader of “imposing his mates” on three Brighton and Hove constituencies.

GMB national rep for Asda Josh Boyle praised Mr Moyle for being the only Brighton MP to support the recent strike at Asda Hollingbury.

Unite equalities officer Tom Green in Brighton said the suspension “is a real slap in the face to the constituents and activists.”

The Labour Party confirmed a complaint has been received and is being investigated.