Labour inability to clear antisemitism cases is further evidence of racism failure, says #LAAS

Labour’s inability to deal with their outstanding antisemitism disciplinary cases before the end of July is further evidence of the party’s failure to deal with the racism embedded in its ranks.

It appears to show that the party’s compliance unit remains overwhelmed by the volume of antisemitism cases despite reportedly taking on extra staff, and despite assurances given by Jeremy Corbyn to the Jewish community that antisemitism cases would be dealt with.

Labour Against Antisemitism is also concerned that the party may be seeking to hold back a number of high-profile cases, such as long-term Corbyn ally Jackie Walker, in the hope that they can be dealt with under the new softer antisemitism guidelines and avoid expulsions.

Euan Philipps, spokesperson for Labour Against Antisemitism (LAAS), said:

‘Jeremy Corbyn assured the Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council, and others, that Labour would clear out its backlog of antisemitism cases and he has not delivered on that promise.

LAAS have always been sceptical of Labour claims that there were fewer than 100 cases ongoing, as our activists have reported over 1,200 Labour members since September 2016.

It also always felt unlikely that high profile cases like Jackie Walker would be dealt with, and we hope that she will not be investigated under the new guidelines which require a significantly higher burden of proof.’