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Judicial review granted to investigate EHRC report into Labour anti-semitism

A JUDICIAL review has been granted to investigate the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s report into Labour anti-semitism, with those named in the controversial dossier calling it a “vital step towards correcting the record.”

A legal challenge to overturn the inquiry’s findings, by ex-London mayor Ken Livingstone and former Labour councillor Pam Bromley, has succeeded at the first stage, with a judge finding the pair have an arguable case. 

Mr Livingstone and Ms Bromley began the action in January, after the report claimed that the former was guilty of “unlawful harassment” against Jews, in the only two cases of alleged anti-semitism cited by the commission.

The report was also used as an excuse to suspend Jeremy Corbyn from the party.

Mr Livingstone said: “I’m delighted the court believes we have an arguable case against the commission. They cobbled together a half-baked case against me last year, justified by a flawed legal analysis.

“It was simply absurd to accuse me of ‘harassment.’ This judicial review will be a vital step in correcting the record and turning the tide against the wave of McCarthyism that has engulfed Britain over the past few years.”

The former London mayor was joined by Ms Bromley, who described the report as an “erosion of freedom of expression.” 

She said: “It serves part of a broader effort to undermine pro-Palestine campaigners and critics of the state of Israel.

“This legal case isn’t about me or Ken, it’s about making sure that the commission’s dubious legal analysis isn’t used in future to crush people who dare to speak up for Palestinians.”

The legal challenge is being supported by the Left Legal Fighting Fund, launched by former Labour MP Chris Williamson. 

Following the decision, the fund said the “accusation is simply absurd, and it serves to improperly lower the threshold for harassment.

“This judicial review is the only legal challenge that can be mounted against the commission report. It’s in all of our interests to support this case, to protect freedom of expression and to help stop the trend towards criminalising pro-Palestine activism.” 

A spokeswoman for the commission said: “We conducted a thorough investigation and stand by the findings, which the Labour Party accepted in full. 

“We will be vigorously defending this action.”

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