Article in LabourList by Sienna Rodgers
Labour has processed more antisemitism disciplinary cases over the
last three months than in any of the past three years, according to
Gurinder Singh Josan, a member of the party’s national executive
committee.
The local party representative, who was elected in NEC
by-elections earlier this year that saw members choose three
Corbynsceptics for the body, used social
media to update members on Labour’s complaints system.
The message, posted on Sunday evening, read: “Since April, NEC
disputes sub-panels have met in most weeks to deal with cases of
complaints involving a protected characteristic.”
Josan specified that these panels cover all kinds of racism,
homophobia, sexism, harassment and bullying, but that “over 90%”
of the complaints he has seen since his election have related to
antisemitism.
The letter continued: “The panels have met more times and dealt
with more cases in three months than in any of the previous three
years. The panels have in three months determined more
antisemitism cases than in any of the previous three years.
“The backlog of antisemitism cases is now being systematically
reduced. New complaints are being investigated by party staff
promptly and cases are not being brought before panels within a
few weeks to be determined.”
Josan, who says he has “volunteered and sat on most of the
panels” over the last three months, and heard over 200 cases,
concluded: “There has been a real change in tackling antisemitism
in the Labour Party.”
His post encouraged Jewish members who left the party under
to rejoin, saying: “I promise you the Labour Party is
under new management. It is safe to come home.”
In Labour’s disciplinary process, NEC members are asked to
volunteer to sit on disputes sub-panels, which usually take place
on weekdays and comprise up to five NEC members. They are
presented with reports by party staff following investigations.
Panels are now being conducted online due to the pandemic, which
makes it easier for NEC members to attend. But they are still
required to commit to sessions of three hours each, sometimes two
in a day.
Asked by LabourList for his thoughts on why many more
antisemitism cases were being processed, Josan said: “I think
leadership matters. Not just and , but staff leadership as well… The thing that’s
changed is leadership.”
Since April, the party has seen a new leadership elected, three
new NEC members, a change in the governance and legal unit with
the departure of Thomas Gardiner, and a new general secretary
appointed.
Alex Barros-Curtis, who worked on Starmer’s leadership campaign,
is now executive director of legal affairs, while has replaced
Jennie Formby as Labour’s most senior official.
Josan told LabourList: “The values of the party are
clear. We are a party against racism, bigotry and hatred of any
kind. NEC members will deal very strongly with any cases that
come before us and have given strong sanctions for anti-Black
racism, Islamophobia, homophobia, sexism, as well as
antisemitism.”
The Labour Party did not respond when contacted for
comment.
