Dame Margaret Hodge says CPS ‘not tough’ enough on racist hate speech

Dame Margaret Hodge has said the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is not being “robust, tough, direct” enough in pursuing allegations of racist hate speech.

The Labour MP for Barking spoke following revelations it took the CPS three months to ask the police to investigate alleged antisemitic hate speech in the Labour Party.

Nick Ferrari handed Met Commissioner Cressida Dick a dossier of 45 cases of antisemitism last year to investigate whether any crimes had been committed, according to a report in LBC.

However the CPS gave their approval last month, despite Ferrari handing the files as early as September of last year.

Appearing on LBC, Dame Hodge said the Jewish community was following this case closely to see what action the police and CPS take.

She said: “I can’t understand why they are not being really robust, tough, direct and thorough in the action they are taking. I can’t understand it.

“It’s absolutely crucial and it’s really outrageous that has taken over three months for them to get to this stage.

“If they simply don’t lay charges because they run out of time that would be a terrible message to people who expect the police and the CPS to pursue race-hate wherever exists.”

In a statement, the CPS said: “Last month we provided the Metropolitan Police with legal advice regarding allegations of online anti-Semitic hate speech which they are investigating.

“A senior specialist prosecutor also met officers in January to discuss the case in detail.

“The CPS will consider charging possible suspects if the police decide to refer the case to us for a decision.”