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Equality watchdog launches Labour anti-Semitism probe Equality watchdog launches Labour anti-Semitism probe
(32 minutes later)
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has launched a formal investigation into the Labour Party over allegations of anti-Semitism.The Equality and Human Rights Commission has launched a formal investigation into the Labour Party over allegations of anti-Semitism.
The watchdog told the party in March it had received a number of complaints and was considering its next steps.The watchdog told the party in March it had received a number of complaints and was considering its next steps.
It will now formally look into whether Labour has "unlawfully discriminated against, harassed or victimised people because they are Jewish".It will now formally look into whether Labour has "unlawfully discriminated against, harassed or victimised people because they are Jewish".
The party said it would co-operate fully with the investigation.The party said it would co-operate fully with the investigation.
But its spokesman said Labour "rejects any suggestion that the party does not handle ant-Semitism complaints fairly and robustly, or that the party has acted unlawfully".But its spokesman said Labour "rejects any suggestion that the party does not handle ant-Semitism complaints fairly and robustly, or that the party has acted unlawfully".
The party has been plagued by accusations of anti-Semitism since mid-2016.The party has been plagued by accusations of anti-Semitism since mid-2016.
The leadership has been accused of tolerating a culture of anti-Jewish prejudice by a number of its own MPs, some of whom have quit the party in protest.The leadership has been accused of tolerating a culture of anti-Jewish prejudice by a number of its own MPs, some of whom have quit the party in protest.
Leader Jeremy Corbyn has insisted he is getting to grips with the issue and has beefed-up the party's internal disciplinary procedures.Leader Jeremy Corbyn has insisted he is getting to grips with the issue and has beefed-up the party's internal disciplinary procedures.
'Woeful''Woeful'
In a statement, the EHCR said it had "carefully considered the response" it received about anti-Semitism complaints from the Labour Party and would carry out an investigation looking at:In a statement, the EHCR said it had "carefully considered the response" it received about anti-Semitism complaints from the Labour Party and would carry out an investigation looking at:
Mike Katz, chair of the Jewish Labour Movement, said: "For years we have been warning that the Labour Party's response to anti-Semitism within our ranks has been woeful at best, and institutionally racist at worst.Mike Katz, chair of the Jewish Labour Movement, said: "For years we have been warning that the Labour Party's response to anti-Semitism within our ranks has been woeful at best, and institutionally racist at worst.
"Last year we took the unprecedented step to refer the party to the EHRC, and we welcome their decision today to launch a full statutory inquiry.""Last year we took the unprecedented step to refer the party to the EHRC, and we welcome their decision today to launch a full statutory inquiry."
The Campaign Against Anti-Semitism, which has referred the issue to the EHRC, said British Jews had not been listened to.
Gideon Falter, the campaign's chief executive said: "In just four chilling years, Jeremy Corbyn has turned the party which pioneered anti-racism into the party that now finds itself in the company of the BNP, being investigated by the very equality and human rights regulator it once fought so hard to establish.
"Over the course of his leadership we have seen enough to convince us that Jeremy Corbyn himself is an anti-Semite and unfit for any public office and though few have acted, most Labour MPs seem to agree with us."
What is the EHRC?
The Labour Party established the independent EHRC in 2007 in order to uphold the principles of the Equality Act.
The act brings together over 116 separate pieces of legislation to protect the rights of individuals over race, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender and disability.
The Commission - which is funded by the Government Equalities Office - is responsible for safeguarding and enforcing the act, and holding organisations, such as businesses and government, to account.
It has the power to compel the party to hand over documents and internal communications, seek court injunctions and impose an action plan on an organisation, as well as force the person or group, via the rule of law, to implement any recommendations they make.
Any information submitted can be further questioned and they can suspend a named person if they suspect unlawful acts have been committed.
The Commission made large panel of lawyers who assess investigate or asses the initial allegations made against someone.
Labour MP Wes Streeting, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group on anti-Semitism, called it a "day of great shame" for Labour.Labour MP Wes Streeting, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group on anti-Semitism, called it a "day of great shame" for Labour.
He said it was "a damning indictment on the failure of our leadership to respond to repeated warnings about the nature of our problem and what needs to be done to address it", adding: "Sunlight is the best disinfectant."He said it was "a damning indictment on the failure of our leadership to respond to repeated warnings about the nature of our problem and what needs to be done to address it", adding: "Sunlight is the best disinfectant."
A Labour spokesman said: "There has been a deeply worrying rise in anti-Semitism in the UK and across Europe.A Labour spokesman said: "There has been a deeply worrying rise in anti-Semitism in the UK and across Europe.
"We are taking action to root it out of our party by strengthening our rules and procedures."We are taking action to root it out of our party by strengthening our rules and procedures.
"But the issue can only be properly dealt with by all political parties working together to protect the interests of the Jewish community and to combat racism in politics, the media and in society more broadly.""But the issue can only be properly dealt with by all political parties working together to protect the interests of the Jewish community and to combat racism in politics, the media and in society more broadly."