The mayor of Lewisham has said he is “proud” of the Lewisham West and Penge MP facing deselection threats over an anti-Semitism row.

Labour MP Ellie Reeves, who is heavily pregnant, has been threatened with a motion of no confidence after she put her name to a letter slamming the party for re-admitting Chris Williamson.

Williamson was suspended from the Labour Party in February following anti-Semitism allegations but was re-admitted last Wednesday. When 121 Labour MPs – including Reeves – signed a letter criticising the decision, he was suspended again on Friday.

After PoliticsHome reported that a Labour member in Reeves’ constituency had called for a “trigger ballot” which could see her deselected, the mayor took to Twitter to defend her.

Damien Egan wrote: “Full support with our excellent local MP @elliereeves. Ellie works hard for Lewisham, day in, day out and is right to speak out.”

Speaking to News Shopper, he added: “We’re lucky to have an MP like Ellie who doesn’t just work hard for Lewisham residents but has also been on the frontline challenging the government over the cuts they’re making to communities like ours.

“I’m proud Ellie spoke out against anti-Semitism and it gives me confidence that we have a local representative who will call out racism wherever it is.”

Angela Wilkins, leader of Labour in Bromley Council, echoed praise of the MP but pointed out that a motion of no-confidence has not actually been submitted yet.

In a tweet, Cllr Wilkins wrote: “No motion has been submitted as yet; the press are whipping this up.

“If [a motion is submitted], it will be absurd given that @elliereeves signed a statement asking for the whip to be withdrawn again and NEC has done this.

“Ellie is a model MP & does not deserve this.”

News Shopper has contacted Ellie Reeves’ office for comment.