07 December 2020

Labour approves draft action plan after damning anti-Semitism probe

07 December 2020

Labour’s ruling body has approved a draft action plan it was required to submit to human rights watchdogs following a damning report into anti-Semitism in the party.

The move, agreed by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), covers all the recommendations set out in the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) probe, Labour said.

The draft plan will be handed to the EHRC this week and contains steps around changing Labour’s procedures and culture, a party source said.

The move is an “important” step by leader Sir Keir Starmer and deputy leader Angela Rayner to “rebuild trust” with the Jewish community, Labour said.

Angela Rayner (PA Wire)

A spokesperson said: “Labour’s National Executive Committee has given its approval to the draft action plan it is required to submit to the Equality and Human Rights Commission this week.

“It covers all the EHRC’s recommendations and is an important step towards Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner’s commitment to rebuilding trust and confidence with our Jewish members and the Jewish community.”

Once a plan is agreed with the EHRC, Labour will regularly meet the watchdog to monitor progress, a party source said.

The publication of the watchdog’s report led to a major public row within Labour after ex-leader Jeremy Corbyn was suspended from the party over his response to the probe.

Sir Keir strongly criticised Mr Corbyn after he claimed the issue had been “dramatically overstated for political reasons”.

Mr Corbyn has since been reinstated as a party member by the NEC, but Sir Keir has not restored the Labour whip – meaning his predecessor as leader cannot sit as a Labour MP.

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