Ex-NUS president was ‘formally informed’ in advance of decision to sack her

Ex-NUS president Shaima Dallali was “formally informed” of the decision to sack her, prior to the result of an investigation into antisemitism being made public.

Dallali had claimed in a tweet on Tuesday:”On the first day of Islamophobia Awareness Month, I find out I have been dismissed through Twitter. That is unacceptable.”

But a source close to the NUS confirmed:”Those directly involved with the investigation were of course formally informed of the decision before anything was made public.”

Jewish News had revealed how the 27 year-old was dismissed after an investigation found “significant breaches of NUS policies have taken place.”

Earlier this year, the union launched an independent investigation into allegations of antisemitism within the union and in May announced Rebecca Tuck KC would lead it.

The union said the panel’s decision could be subject to an appeal.

The Union of Jewish Students were among those to welcome to the decision saying thecase “is a symptom of a wider problem”.

Robert Halfon, an education minister, said: “We welcome the verdict to this initial investigation and look forward to seeing the outcome of the next stage, which will provide more detail on National Union of Students’ plans to address anti-Semitism within the organisation.”

Labour Students also said they welcomed the decision and pledged to work with the Jewish community going forwards.

Dallali’s removal is thought to be the first dismissal of the leader of the NUS in its 100-year history.

Chloe Field, the NUS vice-president of higher education, will now step up as acting chairman of the NUS UK Board, the organisation confirmed.

In April, more than 20 former presidents of the National Union of Students, including three former cabinet ministers – Jack Straw, Charles Clarke and Jim Murphy and current shadow health secretary Wes Streeting – sent a warning to the organisation’s trustees, urging them to address concerns from Jewish students.