Thewlis Graham Associates supports the Labour Party with the recruitment of independent panellists for their new complaints process
Tuesday, 21 February 2023
On 29 October 2020, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) served the Labour Party with an unlawful act notice, after its investigation into antisemitism found the Party responsible for unlawful acts of harassment and discrimination. As a result, the Labour Party was obliged to produce an action plan to prevent continuation or reoccurrence of those unlawful acts, which was legally enforceable by the court if not fulfilled (Equality watchdog concludes monitoring of Labour Party action plan | Equality and Human Rights Commission).
Amongst other things, the Labour Party was required to set up an independent complaints process to oversee complaints of antisemitism and restore trust and confidence in the way it handles complaints. The Labour Party decided to introduce two new independent complaints bodies to deal with all complaints involving protected characteristics and established the Independent Complaints Board (ICB) and Independent Review Board (IRB). The IRB vetoes or verifies all disciplinary decisions made by the Labour Party’s Disputes Panel and the ICB either hears appeals against complaint decisions or hears complaints in person.
The formation of the new complaints boards required forming a pool of lawyers (either solicitors or barristers) with experience in regulatory or disciplinary processes with an interest in equalities law together with HR and Regulatory Experts and Labour Lay members. In 2021, Thewlis Graham Associates were delighted to be appointed to support the Labour Party with this exclusive assignment and successfully recruited 4-6 Lawyers for the Independent Review Board and 4 Lawyers, 4 HR/Regulatory experts and 4 Labour Lay members for the Independent Complaints Board.
The EHRC recently announced that the monitoring of the Labour Party’s action plan concluded on 31 January 2023 after reviewing progress, they were satisfied with the actions taken to improve its complaints, recruitment, training and other procedures. In response to this announcement, Labour Party leader Keir Starmer acknowledged, “All those inside and outside the party who have made it their mission to restore, renew and rebuild Labour on behalf of the country. It is thanks to them that we can say firmly, proudly, confidently: The Labour Party has changed.” (Keir Starmer responds to EHRC announcement - The Labour Party).
Lizzy Turek
Client Research Associate
