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Chakrabarti peerage timing a mistake, says Watson Chakrabarti peerage timing a mistake, says Watson
(about 1 hour later)
Labour's deputy leader has said it was a "mistake" for the party to nominate Shami Chakrabarti for a peerage as part of David Cameron's resignation honours.Labour's deputy leader has said it was a "mistake" for the party to nominate Shami Chakrabarti for a peerage as part of David Cameron's resignation honours.
Mr Watson, who had called for Labour to boycott the process, told the BBC he had not been consulted about the move.Mr Watson, who had called for Labour to boycott the process, told the BBC he had not been consulted about the move.
He praised Ms Chakrabarti as "precisely the sort of person" who should be a peer, but said the timing was wrong.He praised Ms Chakrabarti as "precisely the sort of person" who should be a peer, but said the timing was wrong.
Some Jewish groups have questioned her peerage, so soon after she chaired an inquiry into anti-Semitism in Labour.Some Jewish groups have questioned her peerage, so soon after she chaired an inquiry into anti-Semitism in Labour.
The former director of civil liberties group Liberty chaired an independent inquiry into anti-Semitism in the party earlier this summer whose conclusion that Labour was not "overrun" by anti-Semitism was contested by some at the time. The former director of civil liberties group Liberty chaired an independent inquiry into anti-Semitism in Labour, whose conclusion in June that Labour was not "overrun" by anti-Semitism was contested by some.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said her report's credibility now "lies in tatters" after she accepted the peerage.Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said her report's credibility now "lies in tatters" after she accepted the peerage.
But spokesman for Mr Corbyn, who has called for wholesale reform of the Lords, said her "legal and campaigning skills" would make her a real asset there while Ms Chakrabarti said it was an "opportunity to help hold the government to account". But shadow health secretary Diane Abbott, a close ally of Mr Corbyn's, said the Lords needed "real people" with expertise like Ms Chakrabarti.
"If anyone should be in the House of Lords on merit, if anyone should be an example to young women from diverse communities, it is Shami Chakrabarti," she told the BBC News Channel.
Who is Shami ChakrabartiWho is Shami Chakrabarti
Those given peerages are entitled to sit in the Lords for life. Before they can take up their seats, they must be approved by the House of Lords Appointments Commission. Those given peerages are entitled to sit in the Lords for life. They must be approved by the House of Lords Appointments Commission.
Opposition leaders have the opportunity to nominate peers on several occasions, including at the end of each Parliament in what is known as the dissolution honours list but also when a prime minister leaves office. Opposition leaders can nominate peers on several occasions, including at the end of each Parliament in what is known as the dissolution honours list but also when a prime minister leaves office.
Ms Chakrabarti was Mr Corbyn's only nomination as part of David Cameron's resignation list - which also saw peerages for 13 Conservatives and two civil servants.Ms Chakrabarti was Mr Corbyn's only nomination as part of David Cameron's resignation list - which also saw peerages for 13 Conservatives and two civil servants.
'Chamber of people''Chamber of people'
Mr Watson said he was unaware Labour was putting anyone forward and while the "highly regarded human rights lawyer" Ms Chakrabarti was more than qualified to be in the Lords, Labour should boycott rather than legitimise a process in which awards were in the gift of a departing prime minister. Mr Watson said he was unaware Labour was putting anyone forward and while the "highly regarded human rights lawyer" Ms Chakrabarti was more than qualified to be in the Lords, Labour should boycott a process in which awards were in the gift of a departing prime minister.
"The timing is not great for the Labour Party," he told Radio 4's Today."The timing is not great for the Labour Party," he told Radio 4's Today.
"I do think it's a mistake because I don't agree with resignation honours. I think Labour should be very clear that this is a discretionary power that should be removed from outgoing prime ministers."I do think it's a mistake because I don't agree with resignation honours. I think Labour should be very clear that this is a discretionary power that should be removed from outgoing prime ministers.
"I don't want laws to be made in the chamber of David Cameron's friends."I don't want laws to be made in the chamber of David Cameron's friends.
"I want it to be made in the chamber of people who have served their country with unprecedented distinction.""I want it to be made in the chamber of people who have served their country with unprecedented distinction."
Earlier this year, Ms Chakrabarti was appointed to lead an independent inquiry into claims of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party following the suspension of MP Naz Shah and ex-London mayor Ken Livingstone. But Ms Abbott said it would be wrong for Labour to forfeit the right to any new peers while the Tories "piled up" their numbers in the House of Lords.
In April, Ms Chakrabarti was appointed to lead an independent inquiry into claims of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party following the suspension of MP Naz Shah and ex-London mayor Ken Livingstone.
The review found there was evidence of "ignorant attitudes" but said the "Labour Party is not overrun by anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, or other forms of racism".The review found there was evidence of "ignorant attitudes" but said the "Labour Party is not overrun by anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, or other forms of racism".
In a statement posted on Twitter, the Chief Rabbi said: "Shami Chakrabarti has a proud record of public service, but in accepting this peerage, the credibility of her report lies in tatters and the Labour Party's stated intention, to unequivocally tackle anti-Semitism, remains woefully unrealised."In a statement posted on Twitter, the Chief Rabbi said: "Shami Chakrabarti has a proud record of public service, but in accepting this peerage, the credibility of her report lies in tatters and the Labour Party's stated intention, to unequivocally tackle anti-Semitism, remains woefully unrealised."
Marie van der Zyl, of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said it was "beyond disappointing" that she had been offered a peerage by Labour "following her so-called independent inquiry".Marie van der Zyl, of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said it was "beyond disappointing" that she had been offered a peerage by Labour "following her so-called independent inquiry".
And a statement from the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism said: "If anybody still took Shami Chakrabarti's report on anti-Semitism in the Labour Party or Jeremy Corbyn's declared opposition to anti-Semitism seriously, this must be the final straw."And a statement from the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism said: "If anybody still took Shami Chakrabarti's report on anti-Semitism in the Labour Party or Jeremy Corbyn's declared opposition to anti-Semitism seriously, this must be the final straw."
But a spokesman for Mr Corbyn said: "Shami Chakrabarti shares Jeremy's ambition for reform of the House of Lords. But a spokesman for Mr Corbyn said Ms Chakrabarti shared his ambition for Lords reform and commended her record of public service and human rights advocacy.
"Her career has been one of public service and human rights advocacy.
And Ms Chakrabarti added: "This is a dangerous moment for our country and we share vital human rights values that need defending more than ever before in my lifetime."And Ms Chakrabarti added: "This is a dangerous moment for our country and we share vital human rights values that need defending more than ever before in my lifetime."
'Not a reward' Some Conservative MPs have expressed reservations about David Cameron's honours nominations, which include former Downing Street staff, Conservative donors and Remain campaign officials.
Several Conservative MPs have expressed reservations about the list of new peers, as well as some of the 46 other people nominated for various honours, among them former Downing Street staff, Conservative donors and Remain campaign officials. But former leader of the House of Lords, Baroness Stowell, has defended the process, saying an unprecedented number of Conservative members of the unelected chamber had retired since 2010, including 13 in the past year, and needed to be replaced.
Tim Loughton tweeted: "To have your resignation honours list leaked is unfortunate.
"To go ahead with it after such a public outcry about cronyism, chumocracy and bringing whole honours system into disrepute stinks, not least for those on list who actually deserve to be and previous worthy recipients."
But a former leader of the House of Lords has defended the process, saying an unprecedented number of Conservative members of the unelected chamber had retired since 2010, including 13 in the past year, and needed to be replaced.
"150 peers departed since 2010 (43 Tories). Highest rate of exits since hereditary 'cull' because possible for peers to retire," Baroness Stowell tweeted.
She added: "It is a privileged opportunity to do, not a reward for having done. Look forward to welcoming new colleagues".
The new appointments mean the Conservatives will have one more life peer than Labour - 207 to 206 - but are still well short of an overall majority, partly due to the large number of crossbench members.The new appointments mean the Conservatives will have one more life peer than Labour - 207 to 206 - but are still well short of an overall majority, partly due to the large number of crossbench members.