My statement following the publication of the EHRC report:
“Antisemitism is absolutely abhorrent, wrong and responsible for
some of humanity’s greatest crimes. As Leader of the Labour Party
I was always determined to eliminate all forms of racism and root
out the cancer of antisemitism. I have campaigned in support of
Jewish people and communities my entire life and I will continue
to do so.
“The EHRC’s report shows that when I became Labour leader in
2015, the Party’s processes for handling complaints were not fit
for purpose. Reform was then stalled by an obstructive party
bureaucracy. But from 2018, Jennie Formby and a new NEC that
supported my leadership made substantial improvements, making it
much easier and swifter to remove antisemites. My team acted to
speed up, not hinder the process.
“Anyone claiming there is no antisemitism in the Labour Party is
wrong. Of course there is, as there is throughout society, and
sometimes it is voiced by people who think of themselves as on
the left.
“Jewish members of our party and the wider community were right
to expect us to deal with it, and I regret that it took longer to
deliver that change than it should.
“One antisemite is one too many, but the scale of the problem was
also dramatically overstated for political reasons by our
opponents inside and outside the party, as well as by much of the
media. That combination hurt Jewish people and must never be
repeated.
“My sincere hope is that relations with Jewish communities can be
rebuilt and those fears overcome. While I do not accept all of
its findings, I trust its recommendations will be swiftly
implemented to help move on from this period.”
