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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/sep/21/labour-acts-to-curb-abusive-behaviour-at-autumn-conference
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| Labour acts to curb abusive behaviour at autumn conference Labour acts to curb abusive behaviour at autumn conference | |
| (4 days later) | |
| The scale of Labour worries over potential abuse or intimidation at its upcoming annual conference have been highlighted in an email to party staff giving guidance about what constitutes assault or aggression and how to respond if this happens. | The scale of Labour worries over potential abuse or intimidation at its upcoming annual conference have been highlighted in an email to party staff giving guidance about what constitutes assault or aggression and how to respond if this happens. |
| The email, entitled Staff safety at conference, was sent by Labour to all its employees ahead of the annual event, which begins this Saturday in Liverpool and runs until Wednesday. | The email, entitled Staff safety at conference, was sent by Labour to all its employees ahead of the annual event, which begins this Saturday in Liverpool and runs until Wednesday. |
| “We know some of you have concerns over facing aggressive or potentially violent behaviour and we wanted to inform you of what to do if you feel anyone is acting in this manner towards you,” begins the email, which has been passed to the Guardian. “Your safety and wellbeing is of utmost importance to the Labour party.” | “We know some of you have concerns over facing aggressive or potentially violent behaviour and we wanted to inform you of what to do if you feel anyone is acting in this manner towards you,” begins the email, which has been passed to the Guardian. “Your safety and wellbeing is of utmost importance to the Labour party.” |
| A series of Labour MPs have warned about increasing abuse and intimidation amid the often bitter disagreements within the party between supporters of Jeremy Corbyn and those who want to see him replaced. | A series of Labour MPs have warned about increasing abuse and intimidation amid the often bitter disagreements within the party between supporters of Jeremy Corbyn and those who want to see him replaced. |
| The email outlined new measures for this conference in the wake of concerns raised by staff. | The email outlined new measures for this conference in the wake of concerns raised by staff. |
| The conference will begin with the announcement of a leadership election, with Corbyn widely expected to defeat his challenger, Owen Smith. | The conference will begin with the announcement of a leadership election, with Corbyn widely expected to defeat his challenger, Owen Smith. |
| One MP, Ruth Smeeth, said this week she had faced 25,000 incidents of abuse, including a string of antisemitic comments, much of it happening after she walked out of the launch of an inquiry into antisemitism in Labour. Other MPs had faced “a tsunami of abuse”, Smeeth said. | One MP, Ruth Smeeth, said this week she had faced 25,000 incidents of abuse, including a string of antisemitic comments, much of it happening after she walked out of the launch of an inquiry into antisemitism in Labour. Other MPs had faced “a tsunami of abuse”, Smeeth said. |
| On Tuesday, Labour’s national executive committee agreed a policy under which new party members will sign an explicit promise to “act within the spirit and rules of the Labour party in my conduct both on and offline” and “stand against all forms of abuse”. Transgressors could be suspended or expelled. | On Tuesday, Labour’s national executive committee agreed a policy under which new party members will sign an explicit promise to “act within the spirit and rules of the Labour party in my conduct both on and offline” and “stand against all forms of abuse”. Transgressors could be suspended or expelled. |
| The Labour email stresses that it will not tolerate aggression or violence towards its staff, and any incidents should be reported immediately. | The Labour email stresses that it will not tolerate aggression or violence towards its staff, and any incidents should be reported immediately. |
| It reads: “We understand that people can become angry when they feel that matters about which they feel strongly are not being dealt with as they wish. If that anger escalates into aggression towards you, we consider that completely unacceptable.” | It reads: “We understand that people can become angry when they feel that matters about which they feel strongly are not being dealt with as they wish. If that anger escalates into aggression towards you, we consider that completely unacceptable.” |
| The message then explains what is meant by violence and aggression – “any incident in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted” – and by physical and non-physical assault. | The message then explains what is meant by violence and aggression – “any incident in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted” – and by physical and non-physical assault. |
| It advises staff: “If you feel someone is acting inappropriately towards you, firstly remove yourself from the situation; do not engage in the conversation or person’s actions.” The incident should then be reported to senior party staff, who can decide whether the person concerned should be removed from the conference venue, it adds. | It advises staff: “If you feel someone is acting inappropriately towards you, firstly remove yourself from the situation; do not engage in the conversation or person’s actions.” The incident should then be reported to senior party staff, who can decide whether the person concerned should be removed from the conference venue, it adds. |
| The message also gives a mobile phone number to be used “if you need immediate support during an altercation”, and information about how to seek emotional support if an incident happens. | The message also gives a mobile phone number to be used “if you need immediate support during an altercation”, and information about how to seek emotional support if an incident happens. |
| There was no Labour response to the email, as it has a policy of not commenting on leaked documents. | There was no Labour response to the email, as it has a policy of not commenting on leaked documents. |