Antisemitism accounts for 80 PERCENT of disciplinary cases overseen by Labour’s NEC
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Antisemitism accounts for 80 PERCENT of disciplinary cases overseen by Labour’s NEC

Newly-published figures by the party confirm that anti-Jewish racism claims dominate the agenda of Labour's national executive committee (NEC) disciplinary hearings

Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor

2J74505 Labour leader Keir Starmer speaks to supporters outside StoneX Stadium in Barnet, London after the party clinched victory in Barnet in local government elections. Picture date: Friday May 6, 2022.
2J74505 Labour leader Keir Starmer speaks to supporters outside StoneX Stadium in Barnet, London after the party clinched victory in Barnet in local government elections. Picture date: Friday May 6, 2022.

Disciplinary cases involving antisemitism have accounted for over 80 per cent of those determined by Labour’s national executive committee (NEC), latest statistics confirm.

New figures, produced by the party in line with recommendations of the EHRC report into antisemitism, confirm that of 148 cases taken up by the NEC from January up until March this year, 81.08 per cent involved claims of anti-Jewish racism.

This compared to 9.46 per cent involving claims around online conduct, 2.03 per cent dealing with bullying allegations, and 0.68 per cent around Islamophobia claims.

A further 0.68 per cent of cases concerned anti-Black allegations, with similar figures for homophobia and anti-Asian racism.

Meanwhile, the newly released statistics confirm that since of the 636 cases determined by NEC Panels since 21 May 2020, 63.9 per cent have involved allegations of antisemitism.

This is a rise of 3.99 per cent over this period.

Detailing the outcome of disciplinary cases, the NEC Disciplinary Statistics for March 2022 confirmed that of the 636 cases determined by NEC Disputes sub-panels since 21 May 2020, 18.37 per cent have resulted in expulsion.

Meanwhile 9.44 per cent have resulted in some form of punitive suspension, while 8.55 per cent have been referred to the National Constitutional Committee, Labour’s highest disciplinary body.

A further 19.77 per cent have resulted in the issuing of an NEC Formal Warning, 17.98 per cent have resulted in the issuing of a Reminder of Conduct, while 11.48 per cent have resulted in the issuing of a Reminder of Values.

No further action was taken in 14.41% of cases.

A total of 107 cases that have been referred to the National Constitutional Committee have concluded since 10 March 2020.

Nearly a quarter of these involved individuals who resigned ahead of these hearings.

Labour has cleared a huge backlog of antisemitism cases since Keir Starmer became leader, and the latest figures came as the party introduces an independent complaints process.

Labour has said:” Antisemitism, like many other hate incidents, has unfortunately been spread by the widespread use of social media and there are many antisemitic conspiracy theories circulating, which are often used to insult, belittle, blame and demonise Jewish people for many different things within our society and government structures.

“None of this is acceptable, and such behaviour from Labour Party members will not be tolerated as it does not align with our aims and values. The Labour Party has made a commitment to require all members who are respondents in upheld complaints of antisemitism, to undertake appropriate education or training modules.”

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