Labour set to hold private briefing after Board raises concerns over cases

The Labour Party is set to offer a private briefing to the Board of Deputies after the representative body raised concerns this week over 11 disciplinary cases of alleged antisemitism, Jewish News understands.

A briefing on the allegations, believed to be outstanding and “among the most serious”, was sent to the Labour Party, the Board of Deputies said in a statement on Tuesday.

The umbrella group demanded an update by the end of May on the cases compiled with campaigners at the group Labour Against Antisemitism.

The Board of Deputies also said it was “further heartened” by Keir Starmer’s virtual meeting with the Jewish Labour Movement (JLM) on Monday.

The gathering was the first formal meeting between a Labour leader and the Jewish Labour Movement (JLM) since 2014.

Starmer, who was joined by deputy leader Angela Rayner and the shadow faiths minister Janet Daby, reiterated pledges to implement an independent disciplinary process and any recommendations made by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

READ MORE:

• JLM National Secretary appears to criticise Board over antisemitism briefing 
• Peter Mason: Herculean effort needed to change party’s culture 

The watchdog launched in May last year a formal investigation into allegations of antisemitism in the Labour Party. The probe will determine whether the party “unlawfully discriminated against, harassed or victimised people because they are Jewish.”

Jewish News understands the Labour Party is unable to comment publicly on individual disciplinary cases.

But a spokesperson for the party said in a statement: “Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner have made it a priority to tackle antisemitism within the Labour Party and restore trust with the Jewish community.

“This means engaging with leaders of the Jewish community, fully cooperating with the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s inquiry and working to establish an independent complaints process. In addition, since his election Keir has received regular briefings on antisemitism cases in order to have clear sight of the issue. We have begun making our disciplinary system more efficient without compromising on giving each case a fair hearing.

“We remain committed to working with the Jewish community, including the Board of Deputies, to stamp out antisemitism from the Labour Party – and indeed across the country – once and for all.”