Jeremy Corbyn MP, Labour Leader, today announced he will be proposing a new code of conduct on anti-semitism and other forms of racism to Labour’s national executive committee next month. This will make explicitly clear for the first time that the Labour will not tolerate any form of racism, including anti-semitism, in the party. It will include initial guidance on acceptable behaviour and use of language.

 He will also announce the establishment of an inquiry into anti-semitism and other forms of racism, to be chaired by the former director of Liberty Shami Chakrabarti. The vice-chair will be Professor David Feldman, director of the Pears Institute for the Study of Anti-Semitism. 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. 

The recommendations of the inquiry led by Baroness Royall into the Oxford University Labour Club and other issues will feed into this wider inquiry.

Jeremy Corbyn MP, Leader of the Labour Party, said:

“Labour is an anti-racist party to its core and has a long and proud history of standing against racism, including anti-semitism. I have campaigned against racism all my life and the Jewish community has been at the heart of the Labour party and progressive politics in Britain for more than a hundred years.

“We have taken decisive action over allegations of anti-semitism since I became  leader, suspending all those involved from membership, and have set up an inquiry under Baroness Royall into reports of anti-semitism in the Oxford University Labour club and elsewhere.

“I am now 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 under the former director of Liberty Shami Chakrabarti.

 “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.”