Labour MPs demand report into Sunday Times antisemitism claims
They also demand statement of solidarity with Jewish Labour Movement which almost unanimously expressed no confidence in Jeremy Corbyn at its AGM
Joe Millis is a journalist
Labour MPs have demanded that the leadership provide them with a full report on claims of antisemitic abuse in a Sunday Times report in order to establish its veracity.
Meeting on Monday evening, the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) also demanded that the leadership “make a public statement of solidarity with the Jewish Labour Movement following its 100th year of affiliation to the Labour Party and a full response to the resolutions passed at its recent AGM”.
At Sunday’s AGM, the JLM voted almost unanimously to express no confidence in Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn.
The Sunday Times report claimed instances of antisemitism were not being investigated or were being interfered with by the leader’s aides. This was strenuously denied by General Secretary Jenni Formby and the Labour party press office.
The PLP, however, demanded that Formby “provide a full report to the Parliamentary Committee, including full disclosure of correspondence, to enable the Parliamentary Committee to establish the veracity of the Sunday Times report and the response provided by the Labour Party Press Office”.
It also demanded that the leadership “publish in full its response to the EHRC [Equalities and Human Rights Commission] investigation into the management of allegations of antisemitism within the Labour Party”.
The EHRC launched its investigation into Labour Jew Hate last month following a complaint by the JLM.
We tabled this tonight for Labour PLP meeting following Sunday times revelations on anti semitism in labour -offers clear way forward for addressing all reports of harassment and abuse as well as suggestions for how transparency and solidarity could restore trust #EnoughIsEnough https://t.co/2WHLH0Igxz
— stellacreasy (@stellacreasy) April 8, 2019
The PLP urged the leadership to commit to a “fully independent complaints process for all allegations of racism, bullying and harassment by party members”, as well as providing details of the number of complaints made regarding antisemitism by month over the last five years.
It also wants a rundown of the number of cases of antisemitism investigated, actioned and final outcome by month for the past five years as well as being given an update on what internal disciplinary investigations will be undertaken following the Sunday Times report.
The motion was proposed by MPs Ruth Smeeth, the new JLM parliamentary chair, Stella Creasy, Catherine McKinnell, Dame Margaret Hodge and Wes Streeting.
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