‘Planned and well-organised’: how the Labour plot to oust Tom Watson unfolded

It was the eve of a key weekend, a chance to showcase policies and unity. Instead a late-night bid to remove the deputy leader reopened Labour’s civil war. Even as it was happening, Labour MPs couldn’t quite believe it. It was Friday night, on the eve of what most expected to be a pre-election annual conference – a crucial moment to show voters that the party had eye-catching plans to change the country. And yet some MPs were discussing whether they may have to walk out or laun