An equalities watchdog said that the British opposition Labour Party has taken steps to combat anti-semitism in the party in the past two years. The report follows Labour leader Keir Starmer’s pledge of zero tolerance for discrimination.
The British Equality and Human Rights Commission said on Wednesday that the Labour Party has taken the necessary steps to drive out anti-semitism in the party. This comes as the party was required to present a proposal to the watchdog detailing how the party plans to address anti-semitism. The commission launched a probe in 2019 to determine whether the party, under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, had engaged in antisemitic behavior.
“Today is an important moment in the history of the Labour Party,” said Starmer in a speech. “It has taken many, many months of hard work and humility to get here.”
“We can say proudly, firmly, confidently: The Labour Party has changed…Under my leadership there will be zero tolerance for anti-Semitism, of racism, of discrimination of any kind,” said Starmer, who added that Corbyn would not stand as the party’s candidate.
Corbyn was suspended in 2020 following the allegations of anti-semitism and downplayed the report that detailed findings of Labour’s flawed response to the complaints of anti-semitism during his leadership. Corbyn has denied the allegations and said that it was up to his local Labour members to decide who their candidate should be.
Meanwhile, Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon also announced that she would be stepping down from the post, saying that her influence over the Scottish National Party was no longer an asset as it used to be in the push for an independent Scotland. Sturgeon said that she had become too divisive to reach across the aisle and wanted to step away from the “brutality” of modern politics to focus on “Nicola Sturgeon the person.”
“This is really hard for me,” said Sturgeon. “My decision comes from a place of duty and love, tough love perhaps, but love nevertheless, for my party and above all the country.”
Sturgeon, who has been the region’s first minister since 2014, said she will remain as first minister and SNP leader until her successor is chosen.