Fury as Labour drops Oxford hate inquiry

COMMUNAL ORGANISATIONS have reacted with fury to the decision by the Labour Party to drop an investigation into claims of antisemitism and bullying of Jewish students at Oxford University.

In the latest blow to relations between the UK’s Jewish community and the party, Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) voted to drop any action against two members of the Oxford University Labour Club (OULC) who were said to have been among those who called Jewish students “Zios”, sung about rockets over Tel Aviv, and discussed “an international Jewish conspiracy”.

The decision, taken by the party’s disputes committee on Tuesday, is understood to overturn recommendations made to the party’s leadership that the duo should receive “written warnings” over their conduct.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis responded with dismay, saying: “Having visited Oxford University and heard first-hand accounts from Jewish members of the OULC, I am deeply disappointed by this decision as I know many others will be.

“Assurances that antisemitism is not tolerated in the Labour Party continue to ring hollow in the absence of appropriate disciplinary action.”

Baroness Royall, who led the first investigation into OULC last year and found that antisemitic incidents had taken place, was also “deeply disappointed” by the decision.

She said it confirmed “a widely held view that we do not take antisemitism seriously, adding :“It also doesn’ t bode well for the outcome of the ongoing inquiry into Ken Livingstone’s behaviour.”

Alex Chalmers, whose resignation from OULC in February 2016 sparked the investigation, said: “This latest news is disappointing but unsurprising.

“It is entirely in line with the lack of transparency and response of certain parts of the Labour leadership to the claims of antisemitism.”

It was unclear exactly why the decision was taken to drop the investigation. Labour party insiders said that it was made by the NEC during a wellattended disciplinary panel meeting. Party leader Jeremy Corbyn was not believed to be present at the time of the vote.

One source said: “The weight of evidence against these individuals appeared to be overwhelming — with dozens of witnesses coming forward to give evidence against them and several others in the Labour Club.

“But the only conclusion we can draw is that the NEC voted on political lines, rather than on the advice of those who had investigated.” The activists, who are both said to be strong supporters of Mr Corbyn — and involved in the Momentum group — were at the centre of the allegations of antisemitism and bullying.

Allegations were made that up to eight members of the club openly discussed Zionists rigging British elections and said that European attacks on Jews were justified because of Israel’s actions in Gaza.

At the time, Mr Chalmers said his resignation was a protest against members who had “some kind of problem with Jews” and sympathised with terror groups like Hamas.

Labour launched Baroness Royall’s inquiry after a report by Labour Students, the national student wing of the party, detailed the allegations.

However, Baroness Royall’s report was not published in full by the NEC last summer.

At the time, she said the issues she had considered would be dealt with by Shami Chakrabarti’s wider inquiry into anti semitism in Labour. But no mention of the peer’s findings were made when Baroness Charkrabarti, now Labour’s Shadow Attorney General, published her own report.

When asked to comment on Wed n es- day about the decision to drop the investigation against the students, Baroness Charkrabarti said she was “not aware” of the NEC’s decision.

The Union of Jewish Students called the decision “nothing short of disgraceful”.

It added :“The party had an opportunity to put its values into practice, to demonstrate how seriously they take the issue of anti semitism and to show that Labour clubs are welcome spaces for Jewish students, but they have failed miserably. They have let Jewish students down and in doing so, they have created an atmosphere in which anti semitism may thrive without fear of being challenged.”

The Community Security Trust were similarly infuriated, saying: “Jewish

students have been badly let down by Labour. This sends an appalling message that will be heard across the community.”

Ella Taylor-Fagan, former women’s officer at OULC, added: “The news that Labour has decided to drop the investigation into those who viciously attacked myself and my peers at Oxford University Labour Club is thoroughly disappointing and upsetting.

“I witnessed mocking and serious incidents of anti semitism and a disdainful tone towards Jewish members .”

Marie van der Zyl, vice-president of the Board of Deputies, joined the chorus of disapproval. “This inability or unwillingness to con- front what is a serious problem is damning for the party and will concern Jewish students on campus who feel their own party offers no protection against abuse,” she said.

In a statement, the OULC said: “Labour party procedures have not given us any insight into these specific cases, and we are unaware of any named individuals. In this context we cannot fairly comment on the actions of the party — though we note that Baroness Royall is disappointed with the NEC’s ruling.

“We are working hard with Oxford JSoc to make sure that everyone feels comfortable in O UL C and condemn antisemitism unreservedly .”