Sexual harassment is rife in Labour Party, says report

SENIOR Labour figures have “trivialised” and “accommodated” sexual harassment, according to an activist who says she was raped by a party figure.

Bex Bailey, a Labour activist, said a report into sexual harassment within the Labour Party – which was submitted to the party four months ago, and which she has seen – found senior staff had “closed their eyes” to the problem.

Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee was expected to discuss the report by Karon Monaghan QC today.

Ms Bailey has said she had been told by senior Labour figures not to report the attack by a fellow activist at a party event six years ago because it could damage her political career. She said she had been allowed to read the report – which was submitted to the party in May – at Labour’s headquarters under the supervision of a member of staff.

In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s PM, Ms Bailey said the report found that “sexual harassment [is] rife in the Labour Party”.

She added: “It’s not just my case that’s not been handled properly … Senior members of the Labour [Party] even have closed their eyes to these issues. They have trivialised sexual harassment, accommodated it and not handled it as they should have done.”

A Labour Party spokesman said: “Karon Monaghan QC’S report assessed the party’s previous procedures, which we recognise were not fit for purpose. These procedures have since been improved.”