Equality chief ‘w itch hunt’ probe put on ice
After Mail reveals vendetta in women’s rights row...
AN investigation into the equalities watchdog was suspended last night amid fears of a ‘witch hunt’.
The Mail had exposed an apparent plot by staff to oust Kishwer Falkner over her stance on trans issues by accusing her of discrimination, bullying and transphobia.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission launched a probe into the claims in February but announced last night that it had been paused to ‘ensure integrity’ and make the process ‘fair to all parties concerned’.
Senior commission employees were alleged to have targeted Baroness Falkner after she backed legal reforms guarding the rights of biological women in sport and single-sex spaces.
Their claims were leaked to Channel 4 News in what critics say was an attempt to defame her and discredit her fellow board members. The Mail’s revelations triggered a major backlash in which peers and women’s rights groups rallied around the baroness.
‘We are delighted the investigation into Baroness Falkner has been suspended,’ said Heather Binning of the Women’s Rights Network. ‘It had all the hallmarks of an ideologically driven witch hunt.
‘The baroness was attacked because she said what so many of us believe — that sex means biological sex, and not a gender identity built on ridiculous stereotypes.’
More than 50 peers also signed a scathing letter this week in which they gave the baroness their full backing and said she had been ‘irresponsibly attacked’.
In a complaint to Ofcom, the peers said the Channel 4 report was ‘complicit’ in the coup and was ‘promulgating the views’ of commission staff who were ‘seeking to undermine the chair’.
The EHRC is believed to have decided to suspend the investigation within hours of the damning letter being issued on Thursday but did not announce the move until yesterday.
In a statement it said: ‘This investigation has been paused. This is while we seek legal advice on the impact of leaked confidential information. We must ensure its integrity and that it is fair to all parties concerned.’
In a personal statement, Baroness Falkner said she was ‘hugely grateful to the public for the support and encouragement’.