LABOUR ANTI-SEMITISM, To Be Investigated By The CHRW

LABOUR ANTI-SEMITISM, LABOUR PARTY TO BE INVESTIGATED BY THE COUNTRY’S HUMAN RIGHTS WATCHDOG.

Labour anti-Semitism is formally investigated by a human rights watchdog over allegations of unlawful discrimination, harassment or victimization of the Jewish people by the Party. The Labour Party has been charged with anti-Semitism and has been reported in recent years, the probe, therefore, is to determine whether it “Unlawfully discriminated against, victimized or harassed individuals because they are Jewish”. 

The body leading the investigation known as, ‘The Equality and Human Rights Commission’ stated it has contacted Labour after receiving a “number of complaints” on the same issue. The commission had “carefully considered” Labour Party’s response before opening its official probe. Meanwhile, Labour responded by saying it will “cooperate fully” with the commission and objects “any suggestion that the party does not handle anti-Semitism complaints fairly and robustly”.

Labour defended its Party through its spokesman, who said, “Labour is fully committed to the support, defence and celebration of the Jewish community and is implacably opposed to anti-Semitism in any form”.

“We reject any suggestion that the Party does not handle anti-Semitism complaints fairly and robustly, or that the Party has acted unlawfully, and we will continue to cooperate fully with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)”.

“Labour is the Party of equality and in government, we will strengthen the powers and functions of the commission (EHRC)” he added.

The spokesman also said, “We support the efforts of the Equality and Human Rights Commission to draw attention to the obligations all political parties have under the Equality Act”. However, he stated its “ability to do so has been undermined by a seventy percent budget cut since 2010”.

The rising issue of racism has become an issue of concern in the United Kingdom and across Europe. We are acting strongly to root out of Labour Party by strengthening our rules and procedures, he also said. To deal with racism, the Conservatives and other parties are to take actions in their own capacity.

‘Luciana Berger’ a Jewish MP, who had earlier this year quitted the Labour Party responded in a tweet as a result of anti-Semitism complaints, “For anyone who might look to play this down, the threshold to initiate this process is extremely high”.

“That the Labour Party has even met the evidentiary threshold is damning”.

A different former Labour minister ‘Dame Margaret Hodge’ also said it was a “disgraceful day” for the Labour Party and accused Jeremy Corbyn of failing to take the issue very seriously.

The tweet from the Jewish MP states, “One of the most depressing in my 56 years as a member, Corbyn has completely failed from day one to take this issue seriously”. Also added, “The consequence is a full statutory investigation, he should hang his head in shame”.

The respond’s from those affected and some victims of Labour ant-Semitism ended with this statement of expectation, “We will await with interest the Equality and Human Rights Commission report into racism at the heart of the United Kingdom’s official Opposition”.

Elsewhere, the Muslim Council of Britain has urged the same commission to open an investigation into alleged Islamophobia within the Conservative Party, a peculiar case of Labour anti-Semitism.

• What will Labour anti-Semitism mean for the Party?