NUS investigation into antisemitism will be published by October

The investigator for an inquiry into student antisemitism has said that her report will be published by October this year, promising an “open and transparent” process.

Rebecca Tuck QC, who has been appointed by the National Union of Students to lead an independent investigation into antisemitism within the union, said she will be opening a public call for evidence from next week.

In May, the Government said it would suspend all engagement with the National Union of Students amid long-standing concerns about antisemitism in the body.

Universities minister Michelle Donelan ordered the NUS to be removed from all the Department for Education (DfE) departmental groups and replaced with alternative student representation.

Last month, the NUS announced that it would open itself up to an independent investigation following a wave of complaints by Jewish students.

The DfE said this must lead to “substantive action” and that the decision to disengage from the NUS will be kept under review “as the organisation demonstrates it has suitably addressed these issues”.

The NUS said it was committed to an independent, QC-led investigation and was “prepared to take any and all actions that Rebecca Tuck QC’s investigation may recommend”.

“While the investigations take place, we continue to work closely with the Union of Jewish Students and are exploring actions that NUS can take in the near future to build trust and confidence with Jewish students,” the union said.

Ms Tuck said she had received the first set of documents on May 25, and that having reviewed these she had prepared an “aspirational timetable – recognising that at present there are a number of unknowns”.

“If any of the stages of work can be completed sooner – they will be,” she added.

The process will involve a public investigation into the NUS and then a subsequent internal investigation into the president-elect under the NUS code of conduct.

Social media postings by the NUS president-elect, Shaima Dallali, included a tweet in support of Hamas, a proscribed terrorist organisation.

Ms Tuck said she would be opening a public call for evidence on June 6, which would be open for one month, and that she would subsequently carry out interviews from July onwards.

She said she intended to publish a first draft of the report by the end of September, with the final draft following by the end of October.

“This will be a thorough, open and transparent process,” she said.

“Regarding the internal investigation under the Code of Conduct, I will commence the process on June 6 and aim to conclude my investigation as a priority within the coming weeks,” she added.