SENIOR Labour figures have been accused of interfering with the disciplinary process investigating claims of anti-Semitism, according to BBC Panorama.
Labour has hit back fiercely at the broadcaster, denying the claims and writing a complaint to the BBC.
In a programme that aired last night, communications chief and Jeremy Corbyn ally Seumas Milne and National Constitution Committee general secretary Jennie Formby are singled out for criticism.
A total of eight former Labour officials spoke to Panorama, including four who have signed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) on the subject of anti-Semitism, according to the BBC.
Dan Hogan, who was an investigator in the disputes team, raised issues about Formby.
He alleged people she had brought in since her appointment “overruled us and downgraded what should’ve been a suspension to just an investigation or worse to just a reminder of conduct.”
Former head of disputes Sam Matthews said he interpreted an email from Milne as “not a helpful suggestion” but as “an instruction”.
The BBC reports that, in the email from March last year, Milne said there should be a review of the disciplinary process into anti-Semitic complaints.
“Something’s going wrong and we’re muddling up political disputes with racism,” he reportedly wrote.
“I think going forward we need to review where and how we’re drawing the line.”
Anti-Semitism complaints within the party have increased significantly since Corbyn became leader in 2015, the broadcast suggests. However, the BBC is yet to release any numbers in relation to the complaints.
A Labour spokesman accused the broadcaster of “pre-determining” the outcome of its investigation.
The spokesman said: “The Panorama programme and the BBC have engaged in deliberate and malicious representations designed to mislead the public.
“We completely reject any claim that the Labour Party is anti-Semitic.
“Labour is taking decisive action against anti-Semitism, doubling the number of staff dedicated to dealing with complaints and cases.
“It appears these disaffected former officials include those who have always opposed Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, worked to actively undermine it, and have both personal and political axes to grind.
“Our records show that after these officials left and after Jennie Formby became general secretary, the rate at which anti-Semitism cases have been dealt with, increased more than four-fold.”
A BBC spokesman accused Labour of “criticising a programme they have not seen”.
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