Labour is bracing itself for a BBC documentary about its handling of
antisemitism in the party. Its leader
Jeremy Corbyn was pictured this morning leaving his home on the day the
Panorama programme will air. ‘Is Labour Anti-Semitic?’ is expected to be highly critical of the party and will feature interviews from Labour insiders who are upset with the way anti-Semitism disciplinary cases were handled.
The program, from journalist John Ware, has already caused friction in the party despite not having aired. Former Labour general secretary and foreign office minister Lord Triesman said the party and its leadership were ‘institutionally anti-Semitic’ when he quit the Labour whip this week along with Lord Darzi and Lord Turnberg.
Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson also hit out at a clampdown on former staff blowing the whistle on the party. The Sunday Times reported up to half a dozen ex-employees have torn up non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to speak to Panorama. According to the newspaper, Carter Ruck – acting on behalf of Labour – has written to Sam Matthews, the party’s former head of disputes, warning he could face legal action for breaking his NDA.
Another former aide also received warnings last year from a different law firm representing Labour, the paper said. Mr Watson said: ‘Using expensive media lawyers in attempt to silence staff members is as futile as it is stupid. ‘It’s not the Labour way and I deplore it.’ Chairman of the Jewish Labour Movement Mike Katz accused the party of being hypocritical after it previously called for the scrapping of NDAs and greater legal protection for whistleblowers.
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell defended his party’s use of NDAs, adding ‘what they’re trying to do is just remind them of their confidentiality agreements.’ Labour’s international trade spokesman Barry Gardiner criticised the Panorama documentary, telling Sky News it was ‘a very partial view from a few members of staff who have a political axe to grind’. Mr Gardiner said he would welcome an objective investigation of anti-Semitism in Labour but said ‘my understanding of this programme is that has not been balanced and impartial in that way’. A spokesman for Panorama said: ‘The Labour Party is criticising a programme they have not seen. ‘We are confident the programme will adhere to the BBC’s editorial guidelines. ‘In line with those, the Labour Party has been given the opportunity to respond to the allegations.’