Labour confirm 40% of disciplinary cases heard by NEC panel involve antisemitism claims
Newly published figures of disciplinary cases heard between January and June 2023 show anti-Jewish racism topping list of allegations heard by the NEC panel
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Newly published statistics confirm that 40 per cent of disciplinary cases handled by a panel on Labour’s national executive committee (NEC) involved allegations of antisemitism during the first two quarters of this year.
It was also confirmed that between January and June 2023, 45.33% of all cases determined by the NEC complaints and disciplinary sub-committee resulted in expulsion, suspension, or a referral to the Independent Complaints Board.
Meanwhile, 28% of cases resulted in a formal warning or a reminder of conduct and 26.67% of cases resulted in a reminder of values or no further action.
The new report confirmed that in contrast to 40 percent of complaints concerning claims of anti-Jewish racism, 18.67% of cases involved allegations of bullying, harassment or intimidation while 9.33% involved allegations of homophobia.
A further 8% involved allegations of general misconduct, while 6.67% involved allegations of sexual harassment, 6.67% involved allegations of sexism; 5.33% involved allegations of anti-black racism and 4% involved allegations of other forms of racism.
Meanwhile 4% of cases involved allegations of misconduct online, 2.67% involved allegations of transphobia, and 1.33% involved allegations of Islamophobia, victimisation, data and procedural matters.
It was also confirmed that in the first two quarters of 2023, 54 cases were verified by the Independent Review Board (IRB), set up following the recommendations of the equalities watchdog after their damning report into antisemitism in the party, and also that 1 case was vetoed.
The new report said the reason given for the veto was that the NEC panel was not clear enough as to why it did not consider that a case demonstrated hostility or prejudice based on the protected characteristic in question.
This case was subsequently determined by a new NEC panel and the decision of that NEC panel was subsequently verified.
Last November it was confirmed that 65 per cent of disciplinary cases being heard by Labour since May 2022 had involved antisemitism claims.
Jewish Labour Movement’s outgoing national secretary Adam Langleben had said “progress is being made” over ridding the party of antisemitism but he added:“There remains a specific and identifiable issue of this particular racism.”
Labour has published regular updates of disciplinary cases in response to the EHRC report into antisemitism.
Under the leadership of Keir Starmer, and general secretary David Evans, it has pursued a zero tolerance approach to antisemitism claims, following the crisis on the matter under Jeremy Corbyn.
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