Today the Equality and Human Rights Commission published its report following an investigation into antisemitism in the Labour Party and has found it to have broken equality laws.
It’s a shameful day for my party.
My thoughts are with the Jewish community and the victims of anti-Jewish racism who have suffered appalling abuse, which was then compounded by the failure of the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership to lawfully address it.
It is profoundly distressing that an organisation established by a Labour Government to uphold the equality laws we fought to bring about, has found that in recent years our party has been responsible for discrimination and harassment of Jewish members.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission report has given a clear, specific list of actions and it is welcome that our new leader Keir Starmer has committed to implement these in full.
I also welcome his clear statement that antisemites and those who deny or underplay anti-Jewish racism are not welcome in the Labour Party. To that end, the Labour Party has suspended Jeremy Corbyn this afternoon pending an investigation in light of comments he has made today in response to the report.
There is a long road ahead in rebuilding trust with the Jewish community, but first we must reflect on the enormity of what has happened and collectively renew our steadfast resolve to ensure it can never ever happen again.
As co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group Against Antisemitism, I will continue to do everything in my power to challenge anti-Jewish discrimination wherever it rears its ugly head, inside and outside of the Labour Party.
If anyone wishes to speak to me about the EHRC report and the Labour’s Party’s response, please get in touch by sending me an email: [email protected].
Read the full report here: orlo.uk/6nUfU