Exc🚨A former Labour official behind the BBC Panorama on antisemitism has revealed he was the subject of a criminal investigation until last month
Sam Matthews was summoned for an interview under caution in the dying days of Corbyn leadership after a complaint by the party
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Sam Matthews was summoned for an interview under caution in the dying days of Corbyn leadership after a complaint by the party
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Labour reported Matthews to ICO, which has powers to investigate criminal breaches and bring prosecutions leading to prison
It accused Matthews of breaching Data Protection Act by accessing/leaking data to the media
The stories concerned Labour's handling of anti-semitism
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It accused Matthews of breaching Data Protection Act by accessing/leaking data to the media
The stories concerned Labour's handling of anti-semitism
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ICO criminal investigations team told Matthews on 19 Feb “You are now suspected of a criminal offence” and cautioned him
However, they dropped the investigation after he challenged the basis of their inquiries. ICO had to admit it had no evidence he unlawfully obtained data
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However, they dropped the investigation after he challenged the basis of their inquiries. ICO had to admit it had no evidence he unlawfully obtained data
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Matthews today says: "I‘m glad that the ICO has arrived at the correct conclusion — that there is no merit in the Labour Party’s complaint, made under its previous leader."
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“[It is] now under new management, [and] I hope that this draws a line under the Labour Party’s vindictive campaign to bully and victimise whistleblowers.”
Labour declined to comment
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Labour declined to comment
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