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Information commissioner launches inquiry into Momentum group Information commissioner launches inquiry into Momentum group
(about 2 hours later)
The information commissioner is launching preliminary inquiries into a complaint about the use of data by the campaigning group Momentum, which was established to provide grassroots support for Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of the Labour party.The information commissioner is launching preliminary inquiries into a complaint about the use of data by the campaigning group Momentum, which was established to provide grassroots support for Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of the Labour party.
A spokesman for the Information Commission Office said it had received a complaint and would be making inquiries. A spokesman for the information commissioner’s office said it had received a complaint and would be making inquiries.
The BBC reported that the complaint related to the way in which Momentum is reportedly using data that was collected by Corbyn’s leadership campaign over the summer. It is understood that Momentum was given access to data, mainly email addresses, of the tens of thousands of people who signed up to the Corbyn campaign. The BBC reported that the complaint related to the way Momentum is reportedly using data collected by Corbyn’s leadership campaign over the summer. It is understood that Momentum was given access to data, mainly email addresses, of the tens of thousands of people who signed up to the Corbyn campaign.
A spokeswoman for the Information Commissioner’s Office told the BBC: “We have received a complaint about Momentum and will be making inquiries.”
A Momentum spokesman said: “The company has taken every measure to comply with data protection regulations. Momentum has not received any notice of any complaint or information about any complaint. Momentum will, of course, fully cooperate with the information commissioner with their enquiries and look forward to hearing from the commissioner.”A Momentum spokesman said: “The company has taken every measure to comply with data protection regulations. Momentum has not received any notice of any complaint or information about any complaint. Momentum will, of course, fully cooperate with the information commissioner with their enquiries and look forward to hearing from the commissioner.”
Momentum is regarded with deep suspicion by opponents of Corbyn in the Labour party who believe it has been established to provide a vehicle to deselect MPs who are critical of the new leadership. Momentum released a statement last week after the parliamentary vote on Syria to say that it would not campaign for the deselection of MPs.Momentum is regarded with deep suspicion by opponents of Corbyn in the Labour party who believe it has been established to provide a vehicle to deselect MPs who are critical of the new leadership. Momentum released a statement last week after the parliamentary vote on Syria to say that it would not campaign for the deselection of MPs.
The group’s critics, who question why Momentum’s supporters cannot work within the structures of the Labour party, say they fear it has been designed to provide a vehicle when the proposed boundary review changes to parliamentary constituencies lead to reselection battles. Momentum was established by supporters of Corbyn to maintain and build up the grassroots movement that delivered him such an overwhelming victory in the Labour leadership contest.
In its founding statement it says: “Jeremy Corbyn for Labour Leader has transformed into Momentum - a network of people and organisations that will continue the energy and enthusiasm of Jeremy’s campaign...Momentum is the successor entity to the Jeremy Corbyn for Labour Leader campaign but it is independent of the Labour Party’s leadership. It will work with everyone who supports Jeremy’s aim of creating a more fair, equal and democratic society.”