The EHRC this
morning published its report on antisemitism in the Labour
Party, concluding the Labour Party committed unlawful acts
against Jewish members and members complaining of antisemitism.
It is right that the independent equality regulator has upheld
the complaints of our client vindicating the hundreds of
individuals who felt threatened by antisemitism within the Party
(both Jewish and non-Jewish members) and let down by the Party's
response to the issue. Ultimately, because of the failure of the
Party's internal mechanisms and political processes, our client
had no choice but to see k! the involvement of the objective,
statutory regulator.
Over the past two years we have worked with the JLM and
whistleblowers from within the Party. We have been repeatedly
reminded of their bravery in fighting antisemitism, often against
the backdrop of abuse and gaslighting. That bravery led to
powerful submissions being made to the EHRC, which were accepted:
the pain of the targeted members has finally been acknowledged.
The EHRC has set out where the Labour Party has fallen short of
its legal obligations. We join our client's call for the party
now to adopt appropriate systems and political and cultural
change to ensure the protection and lawful treatment of all its
members.
Commenting on the EHRC Report, Susannah
Kintish, Partner in the Employment Department at Mishcon de
Reya, said; "This is a landmark decision from the
EHRC and demonstrates that the refusal by the Labour Party to
acknowledge and act on the issue of antisemitism was itself an
act of harassment. We and our client welcome the decision and
hope that the Labour Party will now swiftly implement the
recommendations of the EHRC."
Katy
Colton, Head of the Politics and Law Group at Mishcon de
Reya, said; "The EHRC has concluded that the Labour
Party was not a safe space for Jewish people or those who stand
up against antisemitism. This is a stark and unprecedented
decision against a major political party. It is also a clear and
welcome signal that racism, in any form, will not be tolerated
within politics."
