Labour accused of breaking the law with anti-Semitism scandal as human rights watchdog launches formal probe
LABOUR faces a formal investigation into the party's anti-Semitism crisis, the equalities watchdog announced today.
Jeremy Corbyn's party is accused of breaking the law by allowing anti-Jewish racism to rage inside Labour.
It could now be subjected to legal action from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission.
Furious Labour MPs said it was a "day of shame" and hit out at the "unforgivable" leadership for repeatedly failing to deal with the problem.
The watchdog launched a formal probe into Labour this morning after opening a preliminary investigation earlier this year.
The EHRC said the party "may have committed unlawful acts" by failing to crack down on anti-Semitism.
It comes after Mr Corbyn and his allies have repeatedly been accused of tolerating racism from far-left activists.
Gideon Falter of the Campaign Against Antisemitism blasted: "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."
Tories could face Islamophobia probe
THE Tory party could face an Islamophobia probe after it was reported to the equalities watchdog.
The Muslim Council of Britain has written to the EHRC asked for a formal investigation into anti-Muslim hatred in the Conserviavies.
The group compiled a 24-page dossier of alleged Islamophobic incidents.
They claim that MPs have been allowed to spread anti-Muslim messages while Muslim members of the party faced an "atmosphere of hostility".
Tory bosses are accused of turning a blind eye to the problem and failing to kick out racist activists.
MCB boss Harun Rashid Khan said: "It is a sad day for us to have brought this complaint to the doors of the EHRC, but the concerns of Muslims at large about Islamophobia within the Conservative party have fallen on deaf ears."
Party chiefs insist they have a zero-tolerance policy towards Islamophobia.
'DAY OF SHAME'
Labour MP Wes Streeting added: "This is a day of great shame for the Labour party and 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."
The only previous party to be formally investigated by the watchdog is the far-right British National Party led by Nick Griffin.
Veteran MP Margaret Hodge said: "Nine years ago I defeated fascist Nick Griffin at the ballot box. His racist party was investigated by the EHRC that same year.
"Now, after four years calling out Labour anti-Semitism, the EHRC will investigate Labour as well. For Corbyn to have led us down this path is unforgivable."
And deputy leader Tom Watson said: "I feel utter shame that this investigation is necessary but I truly hope that it will provide the means to finally root out anti-Jewish racism from our party once and for all."
I feel utter shame that this investigation is necessary
Tom Watson
A spokesman for the EHRC said today: "The Equality and Human Rights Commission is today launching a formal investigation to determine whether the Labour party has unlawfully discriminated against, harassed or victimised people because they are Jewish.
"We are pleased that the Labour party has committed to co-operate fully with this investigation.
"We contacted Labour after receiving a number of complaints about allegations of anti-Semitism in the party.
"We have carefully considered the response we received from the party and have now opened a formal investigation under section 20 of the Equality Act 2006 to further examine the concerns."
A Labour spokesman replied: "Labour is fully committed to the support, defence and celebration of the Jewish community and is implacably opposed to anti-Semitism in any form.
“We reject any suggestion that the party does not handle anti-Semitism complaints fairly and robustly, or that the party has acted unlawfully, and we will continue to cooperate fully with the EHRC."
The party insists it has tightened up its procedures since Corbyn ally Jennie Formby took over as general secretary.
But critics claim that dozens of activists have been allowed to stay Labour members despite spewing anti-Semitic bile online.
Today the Muslim Council of Britain wrote to the EHRC asking it to open an investigation into Islamophobia in the Tory party too.
The Sun Says
HOW can decent people stomach the Labour Party any more?
Only two political parties have ever been investigated by Britain’s racism watchdog. The BNP and now, incredibly, Labour.
That’s how far this once great party has sunk.
The virus of anti-Semitism has found its way into seemingly every part of the Labour movement. The response from the very top, in case after depressing case, has been nothing short of pathetic.
The most charitable interpretation of Jeremy Corbyn’s lack of interest in the issue is that he’s too blindingly thick to notice that his party is full of racists.
The less generous version would point out that he’s neck-deep in anti- Semitism himself.
Even this investigation doesn’t seem to have caused much concern at Labour HQ. They’ve responded with denials, allegations and deflection tactics.
The disastrous showing of ChangeUK at the European elections might be seen as a message to the remaining few Labour moderates that there is no point quitting, that ballot box oblivion awaits anybody running outside of the party.
But how can you stay? How can you argue, with a straight face, that Corbyn and his acolytes are fit for office?
For the moderates, the Party’s over.
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