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HONOURS SCANDAL

Jeremy Corbyn faces backlash for nominating Shami Chakrabarti for peerage after she led party’s anti-Semitism investigation

Jewish community leaders say the anti-Semitism's report's reputation now 'lies in tatters'

Jeremy Corbyn and Shami Chakrabarti

JEWISH community leaders have condemned Jeremy Corbyn’s decision to nominate the head of Labour’s anti-Semitism inquiry Shami Chakrabarti to the House of Lords.

The decision to give the former head of Liberty, the civil rights pressure group, a seat in the Lords has also been criticised by Labour MPs including the party’s deputy leader Tom Watson.

Jeremy Corbyn and Shami Chakrabarti
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Jeremy Corbyn says he nominated Shami Chakrabarti because of her legal and campaigning skills and because Britons trust herCredit: Getty Images

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said the anti-Semitism report's reputation now "lies in tatters" following Ms Chakrabarti's appointment to the Lords just a month after the inquiry reported back.

In a statement posted on Twitter, Ephraim Mirvis said: "Shami Chakrabarti has a proud record of public service, but in accepting this peerage, the credibility of her report lies in tatters and the Labour Party's stated intention, to unequivocally tackle anti-Semitism, remains woefully unrealised."

And Marie van der Zyl, vice president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: "It is beyond disappointing that Shami Chakrabarti has been offered, and accepted, a peerage from Labour following her so-called 'independent' inquiry.

Sadiq Khan and Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis
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Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis (pictured here with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan) says the reputation of Labour's anti-Semitism report now lies in tattersCredit: Getty Images

“The report, which was weak in several areas, now seems to have been rewarded with an honour.

"This 'whitewash for peerages' is a scandal that surely raises serious questions about the integrity of Ms Chakrabarti, her inquiry and the Labour leadership."

Ms Chakrabarti was Corbyn’s only nomination as part of David Cameron’s resignation honours list.

She faced questions over her independence in the anti-Semitism investigation after she revealed she had joined the Labour Party.

Ms Chakrabarti led Liberty until earlier this year and has been one of the country's leading human rights campaigners for the last 15 years.

She was appointed to lead an independent inquiry into claims of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party following the suspension of MP Naz Shah and ex-London mayor Ken Livingstone.

Ken Livingstone
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Ken Livingstone was suspended by the Labour party after being accused of being a 'Nazi apologist'Credit: Reuters
Naz Shah was suspended from the Labour Party for anti-Semitic comments
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Naz Shah was suspended from the Labour Party for anti-Semitic comments

The review found there was evidence of "ignorant attitudes" but said the "Labour Party is not overrun by anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, or other forms of racism".

The report was criticised by Board of Deputies president Jonathan Arkush as ''weak on the demonisation of Israel'' and for omitting "any mention of party figures who have displayed friendship towards terrorists''.

Wes Streeting, Labour MP for Ilford North, said: "Shami Chakrabarti will bring great experience to Lords.

“But let's not pretend that a Labour peerage in these circumstances doesn't stink."

And Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme Ms Chakrabarti was "precisely" the sort of person who should sit in the Lords but Corbyn's decision to nominate her alongside David Cameron's resignation honours was a mistake.

He said: "The timing is not great for the Labour Party, I wasn't aware, I wasn't consulted on whether Shami was going in, I didn't know that we'd provided citations for this particular round.

"And I do think it's a mistake because I don't think agree with resignation honours.

"I think Labour should be very clear that this is a discretionary power that should be removed from outgoing prime ministers.

"I don't want laws to be made in the chamber of David Cameron's friends, I want it to be made in the chamber of people who have served their country with unprecedented distinction."

Jeremy Corbyn and Shami Chakrabarti
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Shami Chakrabarti says she is honoured to accept Jeremy Corbyn's nomination for a peerageCredit: PA
Jeremy Corbyn and Shami Chakrabarti
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Jeremy Corbyn has been criticised for nominating Shami Chakrabarti for a peerage in these circumstancesCredit: Getty Images

Corbyn’s spokesman said: "Shami Chakrabarti shares Jeremy's ambition for reform of the House of Lords.

"Her career has been one of public service and human rights advocacy.

"Her legal and campaigning skills, and the trust that she has gained from many ordinary Britons, will be a considerable asset to the House of Lords.

"Brexit will put many hard-fought rights at risk, so it is crucial that those equipped with the right skills are given the opportunity to hold this Government to account."

Ms Chakrabarti said: "I am honoured to accept Jeremy Corbyn's challenge and opportunity to help hold the Government to account.

“This is a dangerous moment for our country and we share vital human rights values that need defending more than ever before in my lifetime."

David Cameron
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It's all gong wrong ... Former PM's list has been derided as cronyism by manyCredit: Getty Images

In David Cameron’s resignation honours he showered awards and peerages on 59 aides, allies and Tory donors.

He managed to pack the House of Lords with another 13 Tories, as well as two cross benchers along with the Labour peerage for Ms Shami Chakrabarti.

The honours list swells the already bloated 797-strong upper house to a new record – branded a “sorry legacy” by electoral reform campaigner Katie Ghose.

Among the new peers are Tory treasurer Andrew Fraser, who has given £200,000 to the party and funded the Better Together campaign to keep Scotland in the UK.

Investment banking chief Jitesh Gadhia, who has donated £247,720 and was part of a group of Tory donors who paid at least £50,000 to attend “Dinners with Dave”, also receives a peerage.


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