Labour WILL face formal probe into anti-Semitism

Labour will face a formal investigation into anti-Semitism after the equalities watchdog announced it will step up its action. 

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said it would probe whether the party had ‘unlawfully discriminated against, harassed or victimised people because they are Jewish’. 

The announcement is another blow for Jeremy Corbyn, who has been struggling to contain fury about the handling of anti-Semitism among activists.  

A statement from the watchdog said Labour had ‘committed to co-operate fully with its investigation’.

‘The EHRC contacted Labour after receiving a number of complaints about allegations of antisemitism in the Party,’ the statement said. 

‘The EHRC has carefully considered the response it has received from the Party and has now opened a formal investigation under section 20 of the Equality Act 2006 to further examine the concerns.’ 

The prospect of a full-scale inquiry has been hanging over Mr Corbyn since March, when the EHRC called on Labour to respond to its concerns.

The party formally submitted a response to the watchdog last month.

It has been claimed the EHRC was ‘deeply unimpressed’ by the submission in which the party apparently suggested the anti-Semitism problem was down to a ‘small number of individuals’. 

And deputy leader Tom Watson was angry that he had not been able to see the response before it was sent in.

Sources claimed evidence submitted by the Jewish Labour Movement via its legal team at Mishcon de Reya proved ‘compelling’ to the watchdog.

JLM sources say its lawyers have since been supplied with a further raft of alleged anti-Semitic incidents. 

A Labour spokeswoman 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 EHRC. 

Labour deputy leader Tom Watson has been pushing for tougher action against anti-Semitism among activists (file picture)

‘We support the efforts of the EHRC to draw attention to the obligations all political parties have under the Equality Act. But its ability to do so has been undermined by a 70 per cent budget cut since 2010. 

‘Labour is the party of equality and in government we will strengthen the powers and functions of the commission. 

‘There has been a deeply worrying rise in anti-Semitism in the UK and across Europe. We are taking action to root it out of our party by strengthening our rules and procedures. 

‘But the issue can only be properly dealt with by all political parties working together to protect the interests of the Jewish community and to combat racism in politics, the media and in society more broadly. 

‘That includes the need for the Conservatives and other parties taking action to deal with racism in their own ranks.’ 

The EHRC is likely to request interviews with key figures in the party and will have the power to demand access to correspondence, emails and other information to determine how Labour dealt with allegations of anti-Semitic discrimination. 

The body has no powers to fine or prosecute organisations following investigation, but can make recommendations or draw up a legally-enforceable action plan. 

Separately, the Muslim Council of Britain has urged the EHRC to open an investigation into alleged Islamophobia within the Conservative Party.