AN EMERGENCY motion over the barring of three women from running to be Labour’s candidate for mayor of Liverpool will be discussed on Saturday by councillors.

Councillor and Lord Mayor Anna Rothery, Acting Mayor Cllr Wendy Simon and former deputy mayor Cllr Ann O’Byrne were removed from the ballot earlier this week.

Labour North-West had sent an email to members to say that the selection process would be restarted with new candidates.

The motion, seen by the Star, reads: “How can three senior members with over 50 years of service between them be removed from a process that had followed the Labour Party selection process with no explanation as to why?

“There should be no further process regarding Liverpool Labour’s leadership until the candidates, members and people of Liverpool have had transparency regarding the decision.

“We further believe that in any alternative model we adopt going forward, the wider Liverpool Labour membership should retain their ability to democratically decide the leadership.”

The candidate selection was triggered by former Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson, who is awaiting trial on charges of bribery and witness intimidation.