Concerns raised EHRC Labour antisemitism probe could ‘bankrupt the party’

Sources inside Labour’s ruling executive raised fears the Equalities and Human Rights Commission probe into alleged antisemitism could “bankrupt the party,” a report claimed.

Members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) suggested the party could be exposed to lawsuits amid growing speculation about the outcome of the investigation, the Independent reported on Sunday.

The issue is understood to have been raised at a meeting of the NEC but the discussion was reportedly “shut down” by party officials and allies of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, sources told the newspaper.

According to the report, members of the NEC fear they may be held personally financially responsible if the party is bankrupted by extensive damages.

One NEC member told the newspaper: “If it’s really bad then it opens up all sorts of possibilities and it has been raised that the whole thing could basically bankrupt the party.

“People are really worried. The party has been asked to let us know what indemnity it has because there are concerns that NEC members are going to ultimately be responsible for this.”

But a Labour source denied concerns, saying: “It’s a regulatory investigation which does not involve lawsuits against the Party or any individual.”