Lawyer hired by Labour to tackle antisemitism backlog to leave post
Jewish barrister Gordon Nardell QC was made the party's in-house counsel in June 2018, but will be returning to private practice in August
The top Jewish barrister hired by the Labour Party to help it tackle a backlog of antisemitism cases is to leave at the end of this month.
Gordon Nardell QC was appointed as the Party’s first in-house counsel in June 2018 but his chambers announced that he would be returning to private practice in August.
Since his appointment he has overseen the expulsion of Jackie Walker, a former vice-chair of grassroots group Momentum, and the suspension of her most prominent supporter, the MP Chris Williamson.
The timing of Nardell’s return to private practice has been noted, given the ongoing statutory investigation into claims of institutional antisemitism by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
In addition, this week’s anticipated BBC Panorama programme promises to shed new light on political interference in antisemitism cases within the Party, evidenced by leaked messages from former Party employees.
News that Nardell is leaving prompted Jewish Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge to call for a change to the system. “Replacing him is no good, because you end up with the system being corrupted by political interference,” she said.
“If he has gone, we should get on and establish a totally independent system that cannot be politicised by anyone. If you want to start re-establishing trust, that is the only way to do it.”
Read more:
- EXCLUSIVE: JLM fumes at McDonnell as planned talks break down before they begin
- Gordon Brown says Labour must automatically expel antisemites
- Labour sinks to ‘deeper low’ amid claims it gagged antisemitism whistleblowers
- Three peers resign from Labour citing ‘institutional antisemitism’
- Chris Williamson case referred to fresh Labour panel
- Guardian investigates and pulls letter from Jewish activists backing Williamson
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
