Labour antisemitism: Equality watchdog launches formal investigation into party

EHRC acts after receiving ‘a number of complaints’ about antisemitism

The UK’s equality watchdog has launched a formal investigation into whether Labour has “unlawfully discriminated against, harassed or victimised people” from the Jewish community.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) was moved to act after receiving a number of complaints about handling of allegations of antisemitism in Labour ranks, a row which has dogged the party for many months.

Labour said it would cooperate fully with the investigation and it rejected any suggestion that it did not handle complaints “fairly and robustly, or that the party has acted unlawfully”.

However, the news will come as a blow to Jeremy Corbyn, as the watchdog rarely takes action against political parties. The EHRC previously ordered the British National Party to rewrite its constitution in 2010 to scrap rules that only allowed white members.

In a statement, the watchdog said: “The EHRC is today launching a formal investigation to determine whether the Labour Party has unlawfully discriminated against, harassed or victimised people because they are Jewish.

“The EHRC is pleased that the Labour Party has committed to cooperate fully with its investigation. The EHRC contacted Labour after receiving a number of complaints about allegations of antisemitism in the party.

“The EHRC has carefully considered the response it has received from the party and has now opened a formal investigation under section 20 of the Equality Act 2006 to further examine the concerns.”

The watchdog will examine whether “unlawful acts” have been committed by Labour and whether it has responded to complaints in an efficient manner.

Senior party figures could be brought before the EHRC, which will have the power to demand access to correspondence, emails and other documents to determine how Labour handled complaints of discrimination.

While the body has no powers to fine or prosecute, it can create a legally enforceable action plan for organisations and make recommendations.

Separately, the Muslim Council of Britain has urged the EHRC to open an investigation into alleged Islamophobia within the Conservative Party.

The probe comes after nine Labour MPs defected to form Change UK in protest over Brexit and handling of antisemitism, including prominent Jewish MP Luciana Berger.

Ms Berger, MP for Liverpool Wavertree, said: “For anyone who might look to play this down, the threshold to initiate this process is extremely high.

“That the Labour Party has even met the evidenciary threshold is damning.”

Jewish Labour MP Margaret Hodge tweeted: “A truly disgraceful day for the Labour party. One of the most depressing in my 56 years as a member. Corbyn has completely failed from day one to take this issue seriously.

“The consequence is a full statutory investigation, he should hang his head in shame.”

The Barking MP added: “9 years ago I defeated fascist Nick Griffin [ex-BNP leader] at the ballot box. His racist party was investigated by the EHRC that same year.

“Now, after 4 years calling out Labour antisemitism, the EHRC will investigate Labour as well. For Corbyn to have led us down this path is unforgivable.”

Gideon Falter, chief executive of Campaign Against Antisemitism, said it was an “extraordinary step” and argued that Labour had become a “home for hatred” in British politics.

“In just four chilling years, Jeremy Corbyn has turned the party which pioneered anti-racism into the party that now finds itself in the company of the BNP, being investigated by the very equality and human rights regulator it once fought so hard to establish,” he said.

Marie van der Zyl, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, welcomed the news of the investigation.

She said: “We note that the last party to face a racism probe from the EHRC was the British National Party, which is a truly shameful indictment.

“In the past four years we have seen a large number of cases of antisemitism throughout the party from bottom to top.

“Despite the Jewish community demonstrating in their thousands outside parliament, this has still not been addressed seriously by the party leadership.”

A Labour spokesperson said the party was “fully committed to the support, defence and celebration of the Jewish community”, saying it was “implacably opposed to antisemitism in any form”.

“We reject any suggestion that the party does not handle antisemitism complaints fairly and robustly, or that the party has acted unlawfully, and we will continue to cooperate fully with the EHRC,” the spokesperson said.

“There has been a deeply worrying rise in antisemitism in the UK and across Europe. We are taking action to root it out of our party by strengthening our rules and procedures.

“But the issue can only be properly dealt with by all political parties working together to protect the interests of the Jewish community and to combat racism in politics, the media and in society more broadly.

“That includes the need for the Conservatives and other parties taking action to deal with racism in their own ranks.”