Labour staff GMB motion demands party apologise to Panorama whistleblowers

Current Labour Party staff affiliated to GMB have overwhelmingly backed a motion condemning the party’s official response to Panorama.

The motion, submitted to one of Labour’s recognised trade unions and passed by a majority of 124 to 4, affirms support for whistleblowers and demands an apology from the leadership over its response to those who spoke out.

A copy of the motion, widely circulated online, calls on the party to pledge “support for whistleblowers regardless of where they work and to always condemn attempts to label them as politically motivated.”

A GMB spokesperson said: “GMB exists for our members, we’re led by them and that’s no different when it comes to the Labour Party as an employer.

“Our members have today expressed a number of serious concerns that must  be addressed by Labour Party management. GMB’s local branch representatives will be scheduling urgent meetings with Labour Party management to ensure the range of concerns tabled today are properly acted upon.

“GMB will be offering additional support and representation to members asked to give evidence as part of the ongoing EHRC inquiry.”

A Labour Party spokesperson said: “The Labour Party’s comprehensive rebuttal of the Panorama programme did not in any way criticise Jewish members who have suffered antisemitism.

“As we said after the programme aired, we will fully investigate any complaints alleging antisemitic incidents reported by Party members in interviews in the programme. We stand in solidarity with Jewish people, and we’re taking decisive action to root out antisemitism from our movement and society.”