Thread by @josephattard02

I don't know who needs to hear this, but the EHRC has NEVER been fit for purpose, it has NEVER been truly fair or independent, and it's ALWAYS been an establishment instrument. Here's a handy thread! (🧵1/11)

Commission was established in 2006 under Tony Blair, absorbing & replacing three previous bodies. The move was heavily criticised by activists who pointed out that there cannot be a ‘one-size-fits-all approach’ to inequality & discrimination. (🧵2/11)

First Chair was Trevor Phillips (for whom Mandelson was best man at his wedding). One ex-commissioner described Phillips’ leadership as “better suited to a political organisation rather than a human rights one”. Lately, his Islamophobia has been well documented. (🧵3/11)

Since 2010, the EHRC had its budget reduced from £63 million to £17 million, meaning certain issues were deprioritised, which you could argue is influenced by the political priorities of the ruling party. (🧵4/11)

E.g. in May 2019, the MCB asked the EHRC to investigate the Tories for creating a hostile, discriminatory environment for Muslims. They delayed, then said they wouldn't do anything, because the Tories were capable of investigating themselves! (🧵5/11)

Pavita Cooper, one of the EHRC commissioners adjudicating on this matter, turned out to be a Tory donor and fundraiser before joining the Commission. (🧵6/11)

EHRC Chair at the time when the MCB raised serious concerns about Islamophobia, David Isaac, continued to work for the legal firm Pinsent Masons whilst Chair, which does significant work for the government. For this role, he got an exorbitant salary of £620,000. (🧵7/11)

Two former commissioners – black & Muslim – have revealed they were not reappointed to their posts for being “too loud & vocal” on questions of racism. Commission appointed David Goodhart, who has defended the Tories’ racist ‘hostile environment’ policy. (🧵8/11)

Alasdair Henderson, board member who led antisemitism inquiry into Labour, was called out for liking social posts describing the words “misogyny” & “homophobe” as “highly ideological propaganda terms” & for RT threads describing BLM protests “poison to open society”. (🧵9/11)

And now, of course, we have LGBT organisations accusing the body of taking a reactionary, divisive stance on trans equality. Clearly part of a 'culture war' agenda. (🧵10/11)

So there we have it. Far from a sacrosanct, independent arbiter of fairness and equality, the EHRC has a deeply dubious track record. Check out this article for more! socialist.net/ehrc-attack-do… (🧵11/11)

Credit to @kh4l_ for the article