U-turn over Corbyn ally daughter overseeing anti-semitism issues
JEREMY CORBYN was yesterday forced to make a hurried about-turn over the appointment of the daughter of a key adviser to handle complaints about anti-semitism in the party.
Laura Murray, daughter of the party leader’s close ally Andrew Murray – who is also chief of staff to Unite leader Len Mccluskey – was announced as interim head of complaints, prompting an outcry and a hasty retreat.
Labour MPS were appalled that the party’s leadership had apparently con- sidered giving the job to Ms Murray. The appointment was confirmed by party figures to The Daily Telegraph moments before Labour said the appointment had been made in “error”.
Lord Falconer, who is in talks with the party about overseeing complaints handling, made clear he opposed Ms Murray’s appointment on Tuesday. A source said the peer claimed giving a role to Ms Murray was “a very unwise thing to do”. Wes Streeting, a Labour MP, said: “Given the huge controversy surrounding members of the leader’s office interfering in anti-semitism cases … the optics of moving people from the leader’s office into management positions overseeing complaints in head office is utterly dreadful.”
A Labour source said the announcement had been an “error”, adding: “Laura is not acting head of complaints. The head of complaints is still in post … the job will be advertised.”
Mr Corbyn is under fire after whistle-blowers claimed his most senior allies intervened in cases involving anti-semitism as a “matter of routine”.
Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge said members of his inner circle interfered to reduce sanctions imposed on activists who made anti-semitic comments. In a letter to her yesterday, Mr Corbyn admitted a “very small group of staff ” in his office were asked to help clear a backlog of cases. He said that was an “act of good faith” but that “decision-making remained with staff members from the governance and legal unit and there was never any attempt to overrule them.”
Last night it emerged that key members of Mr Corbyn’s staff had asked to be copied in on anti-semitism complaints, to give them an “overview” of sensitive cases. In a leaked email exchange from last April seen by The Guardian, a Labour compliance official said the views of Corbyn’s office were “welcome where given, but formal comment not needed.” A Labour source said the emails “make clear staff in the leader’s office were no longer asked for advice on cases, and were only being copied in for information, eg, to be aware of complaints about elected representatives”.
The Jewish Labour Movement met last night to discuss whether to disaffiliate from the Labour Party. Members backed remaining in a vote, but a final decision will be made on April 7.