The #EHRC has determined that Chris Williamson DID NOT contribute to ‘unlawful harassment’ by the Labour Party, despite desperately trying to make such a finding.
Even with the establishment’s backing, the EHRC’s sensationalised witch-hunt still failed.
1/5
The EHRC attempted to criminalise Chris for his defence of socialist comrades against a cynical smear campaign led by the Conservatives and the Israel lobby.
However, the discredited and institutionally racist Commission has proven itself to be a paper tiger.
2/5
This outcome is a vindication of Chris’s longstanding record of standing up to racism, which stretches all the way back to the 1970s when he was an active member of the Anti-Nazi League. His commitment to anti-racism could not be impugned, despite the EHRC’s efforts.
3/5
The EHRC has acknowledged that Chris Williamson “successfully challenged” his unlawful re-suspension from the Labour Party in the High Court last year, and that his disciplinary process was “influenced by external events” and subject to “political interference”.
4/5
Read Chris Williamson’s full response to the EHRC here:
Several individuals have dishonestly attacked our crowdfunder. Firstly, the Labour Party has no external debt, and enjoys a higher annual income (£45.7 million in 2018) than the billionaire-backed Conservatives (£34.3 million in 2018). Finances are not an issue for Labour. 1/6
Secondly, yes, MPs earn almost 80k. But after tax and NI, their take-home pay is around 50k (still a lot). However, just like everyone, MPs have to cover the cost of living. Chris would have to spend 1.5 years of his salary on legal expenses, and on nothing else! 2/6
Thirdly, challenging party decisions is a vital right. Take, for example, the legal action against Iain McNicol in 2016, when the NEC decided to demand a retroactive £25 fee from a large cohort of Labour members in order for them to have a vote in the leadership election. 3/6
The making of a media myth: did Chris Williamson really say that @UKLabour has been “too apologetic about antisemitism”?
Watch for yourself and then SHARE this video to inform others. 1/4
It was @wizbates of the Yorkshire Post who originated this manufactured smear against Chris Williamson, posting an out of context clip alongside an inaccurate and misleading quote.
This was regurgitated with wall-to-wall media coverage. 2/4
When confronted about this, @wizbates made the excuse that she “…edited [the video] for Twitter as you can’t post long videos.”
In fact, unverified accounts can post videos of up to 2 minutes and 20 seconds in length. She chose to post a 43 second clip. 3/4
This is untrue, @bbcnickrobinson. You are another journalist to have misquoted what Chris Williamson said in Sheffield earlier this year, and to have misrepresented the reasons behind his suspension. Let’s be clear: Williamson has never said this. 1/4
Here is the transcript of what Williamson did say: 2/4
Williamson was suspended for supposedly ‘bringing the Party into disrepute’ without any allegations being put to him. When he was finally shown the allegations, he rebutted them and his suspension was lifted. 3/4
Yesterday, @UKLabour’s National Executive Committee overruled its own antisemitism Disputes Panel, which had earlier lifted Chris Williamson’s suspension. The NEC called for a new three-person panel to rule on the case. 1/8
This is unprecedented. We are deeply concerned that Chris Williamson’s ‘re-suspension’ has come about solely as a result of political pressure, rather than due to any substantive or factual issues concerning his case – something which is profoundly unfair and prejudicial. 2/8
Reacting to the NEC’s decision, film director @KenLoachSixteen said: “Chris Williamson defended the party’s record against the ‘scourge of antisemitism’. At no point did he say that those guilty of antisemitism should not apologise. … 3/8