Labour Party Found Responsible for Unlawful Acts of Harassment and Discrimination

Strategic Insights -

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has published a long-awaited report on antisemitism within the Labour party, finding the party responsible for three breaches of the Equality Act related to harassment, political interference in antisemitism complaints, and inadequate training for those handling complaints. The investigation, launched in 2019, uncovered 23 instances of inappropriate interference in the complaints process by staff from the office of former leader Jeremy Corbyn. The report highlights serious failings in the party's leadership in addressing antisemitism and an inadequate process for handling antisemitism complaints.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Labour party was found to be responsible for three breaches of the Equality Act, connected to harassment, political interference in antisemitism complaints, and inadequate training to those handling complaints.
  • 23 instances of inappropriate interference in the complaints process were found, with staff exerting influence on decisions on areas such as member suspensions and whether to investigate claims.
  • Political interference in certain complaints occurred more often in antisemitism cases, and was thus found to be discriminatory and unlawful.
  • An email inbox for complaints was largely left unmonitored for a number of years, with no action taken on the majority of complaints forwarded to it.
  • 62 out of 70 files reviewed for the inquiry had records missing, contributing to indirect discrimination against Jewish members.
  • The lack of a proper complaints and disciplinary procedure lasted until August 2020, four months into Keir Starmer's tenure.
  • Two individuals, Ken Livingston and Pam Bromley, were found to have engaged in conduct that was unlawful harassment, with the Labour party being legally responsible for their actions.
  • The report names 18 other instances where there was not enough evidence for a legal conclusion that the party was responsible for the conduct, covering councillors, candidates, and constituency party officials.
  • There were potentially many more files showing evidence of antisemitic conduct by members without party roles, which could make the Labour party responsible for their actions.

Statistics:

  • 23 instances of inappropriate interference in the complaints process were found.
  • 62 out of 70 files reviewed for the inquiry had records missing.
  • 70 files were reviewed for the inquiry.
  • 18 instances of conduct by members were found without enough evidence for a legal conclusion that the party was responsible, covering councillors, candidates, and constituency party officials.

Sources:

  • The Guardian article by Peter Walker, "Labour party 'legally responsible' for antisemitism under Jeremy Corbyn, report finds" dated [undated]
  • The Equality and Human Rights Commission report dated [undated]