Then-Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn gives a speech on digitial infrastructure policy at an election campaign event in Lancaster, northwest England on November 15, 2019. (Photo: Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images)
'An Inspiration to Progressive Forces': Allies Stand in Solidarity With Jeremy Corbyn Following Labour Party Suspension
Corbyn was suspended following his reaction to a watchdog report on how the party handled allegations of anti-Semitism within its ranks.
Jeremy Corbyn said he will "strongly contest" his suspension from the U.K. Labour Party handed down Thursday following the former leader's response to a government watchdog report on anti-Semitism in the party finding that members had engaged in "unlawful acts of harassment and discrimination."
"I've made absolutely clear that those who deny there has been an anti-Semitism problem in the Labour Party are wrong," Corbyn said in a statement on Facebook declaring his intention to contest the suspension.
"It's also undeniable," added Corbyn, "that a false impression has been created of the number of members accused of antisemitism, as polling shows: that is what has been overstated, not the seriousness of the problem."
He further called on Labour "members to stay calm and focused--while this problem is resolved amicably, as I believe it will be--to defeat this awful government, which is further impoverishing the poorest in our society."
Driving the new development within Labour was Thursday's release of probe from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
The EHRC investigation, according to BBC News,
identified serious failings in leadership and an inadequate process of handling anti-Semitism complaints. Its report said the party was responsible for three breaches of the Equality Act: political interference in anti-Semitism complaints, failure to provide adequate training to those handling anti-Semitism complaints and harassment.
In a statement, it said: "The equality body's analysis points to a culture within the party which, at best, did not do enough to prevent anti-Semitism and, at worst, could be seen to accept it."
The commission served an unlawful act notice on the party, meaning it has to produce an action plan within six weeks, which is legally enforceable by the courts if not acted upon.
The inquiry was launched in May 2019 after "receiving a number of complaints about allegations of anti-Semitism in the party."
"Our investigation has highlighted multiple areas where its approach and leadership to tackling anti-Semitism was insufficient. This is inexcusable and appeared to be a result of a lack of willingness to tackle antisemitism rather than an inability to do so," Caroline Waters, interim chair of the commission, said in a statement.
Corbyn initially responded to the report saying, in part, that "Jewish members of our party and the wider community were right to expect us to deal with it, and I regret that it took longer to deliver that change than it should." However, he added, "the scale of the problem was also dramatically overstated for political reasons by our opponents inside and outside the party, as well as by much of the media."
"My sincere hope is that relations with Jewish communities can be rebuilt and those fears overcome," he added. "While I do not accept all of its findings, I trust its recommendations will be swiftly implemented to help move on from this period."
According to IBT Times, "Those comments drew a swift and dramatic response from the party."
A party spokesperson said, "In light of his comments made today and his failure to retract them subsequently, the Labour Party has suspended Jeremy Corbyn pending investigation."
Current Labour Leader Keir Starmer said the "report's conclusions are clear. And stark. They leave no room for equivocation."
Len McCluskey, leader of Unite, Labour's biggest affiliate, said Corbyn's suspension was the wrong move.
"This was a day for our party to move forward as one to defeat the evil of anti-Semitism," he said. "However, the decision to suspend Jeremy Corbyn has threatened that opportunity." MCluskey further warned that the suspension stands to "create chaos within the party and in doing so compromise Labour's chances of a general election victory."
" A split party will be doomed to defeat," said McCluskey.
The suspension also drew words of support for Corbyn in the U.K and beyond:
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
Jeremy Corbyn said he will "strongly contest" his suspension from the U.K. Labour Party handed down Thursday following the former leader's response to a government watchdog report on anti-Semitism in the party finding that members had engaged in "unlawful acts of harassment and discrimination."
"I've made absolutely clear that those who deny there has been an anti-Semitism problem in the Labour Party are wrong," Corbyn said in a statement on Facebook declaring his intention to contest the suspension.
"It's also undeniable," added Corbyn, "that a false impression has been created of the number of members accused of antisemitism, as polling shows: that is what has been overstated, not the seriousness of the problem."
He further called on Labour "members to stay calm and focused--while this problem is resolved amicably, as I believe it will be--to defeat this awful government, which is further impoverishing the poorest in our society."
Driving the new development within Labour was Thursday's release of probe from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
The EHRC investigation, according to BBC News,
identified serious failings in leadership and an inadequate process of handling anti-Semitism complaints. Its report said the party was responsible for three breaches of the Equality Act: political interference in anti-Semitism complaints, failure to provide adequate training to those handling anti-Semitism complaints and harassment.
In a statement, it said: "The equality body's analysis points to a culture within the party which, at best, did not do enough to prevent anti-Semitism and, at worst, could be seen to accept it."
The commission served an unlawful act notice on the party, meaning it has to produce an action plan within six weeks, which is legally enforceable by the courts if not acted upon.
The inquiry was launched in May 2019 after "receiving a number of complaints about allegations of anti-Semitism in the party."
"Our investigation has highlighted multiple areas where its approach and leadership to tackling anti-Semitism was insufficient. This is inexcusable and appeared to be a result of a lack of willingness to tackle antisemitism rather than an inability to do so," Caroline Waters, interim chair of the commission, said in a statement.
Corbyn initially responded to the report saying, in part, that "Jewish members of our party and the wider community were right to expect us to deal with it, and I regret that it took longer to deliver that change than it should." However, he added, "the scale of the problem was also dramatically overstated for political reasons by our opponents inside and outside the party, as well as by much of the media."
"My sincere hope is that relations with Jewish communities can be rebuilt and those fears overcome," he added. "While I do not accept all of its findings, I trust its recommendations will be swiftly implemented to help move on from this period."
According to IBT Times, "Those comments drew a swift and dramatic response from the party."
A party spokesperson said, "In light of his comments made today and his failure to retract them subsequently, the Labour Party has suspended Jeremy Corbyn pending investigation."
Current Labour Leader Keir Starmer said the "report's conclusions are clear. And stark. They leave no room for equivocation."
Len McCluskey, leader of Unite, Labour's biggest affiliate, said Corbyn's suspension was the wrong move.
"This was a day for our party to move forward as one to defeat the evil of anti-Semitism," he said. "However, the decision to suspend Jeremy Corbyn has threatened that opportunity." MCluskey further warned that the suspension stands to "create chaos within the party and in doing so compromise Labour's chances of a general election victory."
" A split party will be doomed to defeat," said McCluskey.
The suspension also drew words of support for Corbyn in the U.K and beyond:
Jeremy Corbyn said he will "strongly contest" his suspension from the U.K. Labour Party handed down Thursday following the former leader's response to a government watchdog report on anti-Semitism in the party finding that members had engaged in "unlawful acts of harassment and discrimination."
"I've made absolutely clear that those who deny there has been an anti-Semitism problem in the Labour Party are wrong," Corbyn said in a statement on Facebook declaring his intention to contest the suspension.
"It's also undeniable," added Corbyn, "that a false impression has been created of the number of members accused of antisemitism, as polling shows: that is what has been overstated, not the seriousness of the problem."
He further called on Labour "members to stay calm and focused--while this problem is resolved amicably, as I believe it will be--to defeat this awful government, which is further impoverishing the poorest in our society."
Driving the new development within Labour was Thursday's release of probe from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
The EHRC investigation, according to BBC News,
identified serious failings in leadership and an inadequate process of handling anti-Semitism complaints. Its report said the party was responsible for three breaches of the Equality Act: political interference in anti-Semitism complaints, failure to provide adequate training to those handling anti-Semitism complaints and harassment.
In a statement, it said: "The equality body's analysis points to a culture within the party which, at best, did not do enough to prevent anti-Semitism and, at worst, could be seen to accept it."
The commission served an unlawful act notice on the party, meaning it has to produce an action plan within six weeks, which is legally enforceable by the courts if not acted upon.
The inquiry was launched in May 2019 after "receiving a number of complaints about allegations of anti-Semitism in the party."
"Our investigation has highlighted multiple areas where its approach and leadership to tackling anti-Semitism was insufficient. This is inexcusable and appeared to be a result of a lack of willingness to tackle antisemitism rather than an inability to do so," Caroline Waters, interim chair of the commission, said in a statement.
Corbyn initially responded to the report saying, in part, that "Jewish members of our party and the wider community were right to expect us to deal with it, and I regret that it took longer to deliver that change than it should." However, he added, "the scale of the problem was also dramatically overstated for political reasons by our opponents inside and outside the party, as well as by much of the media."
"My sincere hope is that relations with Jewish communities can be rebuilt and those fears overcome," he added. "While I do not accept all of its findings, I trust its recommendations will be swiftly implemented to help move on from this period."
According to IBT Times, "Those comments drew a swift and dramatic response from the party."
A party spokesperson said, "In light of his comments made today and his failure to retract them subsequently, the Labour Party has suspended Jeremy Corbyn pending investigation."
Current Labour Leader Keir Starmer said the "report's conclusions are clear. And stark. They leave no room for equivocation."
Len McCluskey, leader of Unite, Labour's biggest affiliate, said Corbyn's suspension was the wrong move.
"This was a day for our party to move forward as one to defeat the evil of anti-Semitism," he said. "However, the decision to suspend Jeremy Corbyn has threatened that opportunity." MCluskey further warned that the suspension stands to "create chaos within the party and in doing so compromise Labour's chances of a general election victory."
" A split party will be doomed to defeat," said McCluskey.
The suspension also drew words of support for Corbyn in the U.K and beyond: