Barrister Shami Chakrabati, the former head of civil liberty group Liberty and now a Door Tenant at 39 Essex Street, has been appointed to lead the independent inquiry into allegations of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on 29 April 2016 announced the establishment of an inquiry into anti-semitism and other forms of racism. The vice-chair is Professor David Feldman, director of the Pears Institute for the Study of Anti-Semitism.

Wide consultation

The inquiry, which will report in two months, will consult widely with the Jewish community and other minority representatives about a statement of principles and guidance about anti-semitism and other forms of racism, including Islamophobia; guidance about the boundaries of acceptable behaviour and language; clear and transparent compliance procedures for dealing with allegations of racism and anti-semitism; training programmes for parliamentary candidates, MPs, councillors and others; recommendations for changes to the code of conduct and party rules if necessary; and action to ensure Labour is a welcoming environment for members of all communities.

Code of conduct proposed

Mr Corbyn said he was 'proposing to Labour’s national executive committee that it adopts a code of conduct on anti-semitism and other forms of racism, and establishing an inquiry into tackling anti-semitism and other forms of racism.  'There is no place for anti-semitism or any form of racism in the Labour party, or anywhere in society, and we will make sure that our party is a welcoming home to members of all communities.”