A SUSPENDED Labour MP is to speak in a tent near the party’s conference this weekend.

Chris Williamson, suspended by the Labour Party for alleged anti-Semitism, is to address crowds in the Freedom of Speech Tent in Regency Square, Brighton, tomorrow at 1pm.

Organisers say the tent will be available throughout the annual Labour Party Conference, which is being held in the city between Saturday and Wednesday.

The tent opens at noon on Saturday.

Speakers include Labour activist Jackie Walker, who was expelled from the party for remarks about anti-Semitism and a professor of Political Sociology from the University of Bristol.

Organisers will also be hosting a series of fringe events at the Rialto Theatre in Dyke Road from 2pm today and Monday.

Speakers at the Brighton venue include Chris Williamson, Tina Werkman from Labour Against the Witchhunt, Alex Braithwaite, a Labour candidate suspended for alleged anti-Semitism during her local election campaign, and twice suspended, but now reinstated, Greg Hadfield.

Attendees have the opportunity to win a banned Steve Bell cartoon and watch a documentary film by Jon Pullman called WitchHunt.

The venue has defended its decision to host the events.

A spokesman said: “Our position is that we are non-politically aligned and embrace freedom of speech.

“We host many events that are not necessarily to the personal taste of the individual people who manage the theatre.

“However, we recognise, within limits, groups’ rights to hold such events.

“We understand that some parties would prefer them not to go ahead.

“There are clearly two parties both with deeply held beliefs and we believe that the debate between these will find a voice.

“By hosting the above events, Rialto is not endorsing any views or denigrating any organisations’ beliefs.

“We do not intend to cause distress to anyone in the city and hope that our neutral position is acknowledged and respected.”

This comes after a controversial event, also featuring Chris Williamson and the banned Steve Bell cartoon, was held in a park after having previously been cancelled three times.

The Derby North MP was forced to address a crowd of about 150 in Regency Square after the event was blocked by three separate venues.