Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone and Rossendale borough councillor Pam Bromley – both of whom were named in last year’s EHRC Report into alleged ‘antisemitism’ in the Labour Party – have today announced that they are challenging the Report’s findings against them through a judicial review.
In its long-delayed and controversial Report, the equalities watchdog found in October last year that Livingstone and Bromley had ‘contributed’ to alleged ‘unlawful harassment related to Jewish race and religion’ by the Labour Party.
Livingstone and Bromley firmly reject the EHRC’s findings and the flawed legal analysis underpinning them. The pair have assembled a top legal team to address the findings against them and are seeking to crowdfund £40,000 to cover their initial costs.
The judicial review will focus on the EHRC Report as it relates to Livingstone and Bromley – including concerns about their right to freedom of expression – which could lead to sections of the current Report being substantially revised.
The legal challenge is being supported by the Left Legal Fighting Fund, a central fund to assist activists, protesters and whistleblowers. The Fighting Fund was established at the end of 2019 by former Labour MP Chris Williamson from the costs he won after his High Court victory against the Party.
When speaking about his decision to launch this judicial review against the EHRC, Ken Livingstone said:
“The EHRC’s investigation into the Labour Party was a politically-motivated attack aimed at derailing Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership. The Commission cobbled together a half-baked case against me, justified by a flawed legal analysis.
“This judicial review will be a vital step in correcting the record and in fighting back against a McCarthyite smear campaign which has been waged against the British Left over the past five years.”
Councillor Pam Bromley added:
“The EHRC Report and its dubious legal analysis will have knock-on effects for freedom of expression. The right of pro-Palestine campaigners to criticise the State of Israel and its apartheid policies is being actively suppressed.
“This judicial review will not only help to clear mine and Ken’s names, it will ensure that the EHRC Report can’t be used as a tool to bludgeon activists who dare to speak up for Palestinians.”
The crowdfunder will be live at: www.fightingfund.org/kenandpam.
PLEASE SUPPORT US FOR JUST £2 A MONTH
