A local Labour party discussed a motion which called on UK deputy leader Tom Watson to quit after he demanded the suspension of a far left MP amid an anti-semitism row.

Minutes of a meeting of the Ettrick, Roxburgh & Berwickshire party show that Watson, who has been the subject of criticism by left-wingers, was also branded “traitorous” and a “total narcissus” at the gathering.

One member also warned of a backlash which could “instigate antisemitism in some people out of frustration, where it didn't exist before”.

However, the motion calling on Watson to resign was deferred after a discussion on the wording. A party source said: "This is the kind of disgusting behaviour that happens when the hard Left takes over CLPs. Anyone who votes for this is an utter disgrace to the Labour movement. However, the overwhelming majority of Labour members are fully behind Tom Watson."

Watson is leader Jeremy Corbyn’s deputy, but the pair have a poor working relationship after a series of disagreements on policy and internal matters.

The West Bromwich East MP has taken a consistently tough line on anti-semitism in the party and is more passionate about a second Brexit referendum than Corbyn.

In February, Watson called for pro-Corbyn MP Chris Williamson to be disciplined after Williamson claimed Labour had been “too apologetic” over the anti-semitism row that had engulfed the party. The MP was later suspended.

According to the minute of a February meeting of the Ettrick, Roxburgh & Berwickshire constituency Labour party, a discussion took place on the MPs who recently left Labour to join The Independent Group. The minute summarised one member’s comments:

“Another thorn of malcontent and mischief, is Tom Watson. That total narcissus is like a black hole to the Labour Party, trying to suck everything in and destroy it.

“What he has orchestrated in respect to Chris Williamson is traitorous. Going after someone who clearly is not antisemetic [sic] is the proof that this is a concerted effort to oust the left not anything to do with real antisemitic [sic].”

The member added: “The backlash of this is that it could instigate antisemitism in some people out of frustration, where it didn't exist before. The kind of behaviour coming from the right of the party is very destructive, does not reflect the views of most of the membership, and could lead to many leaving the party.”

A motion was presented to the meeting which called on Watson, who was elected as deputy leader in 2015, to stand down. The Williamson row was among the reasons cited for the call to quit.

However, these points were deleted from the motion, and a redrafted version was put forward:

“This CLP, Ettrick, Roxburgh & Berwickshire no longer have confidence in Tom Watson MP as deputy leader of the Labour Party. We call on Tom Watson MP to resign the deputy leadership of the Labour party and seek re-election.”

The minute concluded: “At the end we held a vote and the motion was deferred to the next meeting to allow members to comment on it.”

Asked whether the local party subsequently passed this motion, a spokesperson for Scottish Labour did not respond.

Scottish Conservative MP John Lamont said: “This motion shows just how toxic the Labour party have become. It also reveals this is as much an issue in Scotland as anywhere else. It’s one thing for the local Labour party not to be able to bring itself to criticise anti-semitism. It’s quite another to go out it’s way to slam those who do.”