Investigation into antisemitism in the U.K. Labour Party finds unlawful acts of discrimination and harassment

"The Labour Party has been served with an unlawful act notice after an investigation into antisemitism by the Equality and Human Rights Commission found it responsible for unlawful acts of harassment and discrimination.

Following initial complaints from Campaign Against Antisemitism, and further complaints from the Jewish Labour Movement, the EHRC launched its investigation in May 2019.

The investigation has identified serious failings in the Labour Party leadership in addressing antisemitism and an inadequate process for handling antisemitism complaints.

The Party is responsible for three breaches of the Equality Act (2010) relating to:

political interference in antisemitism complaints
failure to provide adequate training to those handling antisemitism complaints harassment

The equality body's analysis points to a culture within the Party which, at best, did not do enough to prevent antisemitism and, at worst, could be seen to accept it.

This is in direct contrast to the comprehensive guidance and training in place to handle sexual harassment complaints that demonstrates the Party's ability to act decisively when it needs to, indicating that antisemitism could have been tackled more effectively.

The investigation states that the Party needs to instil a culture that encourages members to challenge inappropriate behaviour and to report antisemitism complaints.

The EHRC has warned that, despite some recent improvements, the Labour Party must do more if it is going to regain the trust of the Jewish community, the public and many of its members. It has set out clear, fair and achievable recommendations to help the Party make positive changes to its policies, processes and culture. The new leadership's public commitment to implement our recommendations is welcome.

The Labour Party has until 10 December to draft an action plan to implement the recommendations, which is legally enforceable by the court if not fulfilled..."