Labour’s New Method of Choosing a Candidate
Time was, in the boring old days, when Labour went about its internal business and nobody else was any the wiser.
It seems that, at least in Newham, Labour is unable to choose a candidate without resort to the Law.
Readers will recall that a certain Robin Wales was chosen by the branches in Newham; other members objected and threatened legal action and the whole thing was run again, this time to the eventual benefit of one R. Fiaz.
It seems to be that in 2022, when Labour’s NEC has decided that Ms Fiaz will be the candidate, without any reference to the members and some of those neglected members feel a little aggrieved. They, rather like the newly independent Cllr Murphy, seem to feel that Mayor Fiaz is an “unsuitable” person to hold public office.
Open Newham understands that the leading law firm, Mishcon de Reya have been appointed to challenge the decision made by Labour’s NEC. They are backed, we understand, by someone with “deep pockets”, though we are told they will also be starting a crowd-funding appeal for the next stage in the proceedings. We will bring more news of this as and when we receive it.
The basis of the claim, as laid out by Mishcon de Reya is that Fiaz was appointed in circumstances in which:
the selection process was manifestly unfair and devoid of due process;
the Labour Party has failed to investigate – properly or at all – extremely serious and repeated concerns raised by Labour Party members and councillors in Newham regarding the conduct of Ms Fiaz, including an independent report implicating her in "fostering a culture of antisemitism"; and
the West Ham and East Ham CLPs have been suspended since March 2021, with no roadmap or plan in place to allow the lifting of the suspension. The three issues are intrinsically linked: the unfair selection process could not have taken place had the CLPs not been suspended; and a prime (but not sole) indicator of the flawed nature of the selection process is the apparent failure to take into account the complaints raised in relation to Ms Fiaz.
They go on to raise the issues of bullying and harassment which Fiaz is deemed to be responsible for and the failure of the Labour Party to expeditiously (or at all) investigate the allegations against her.
They claim that Ms Fiaz has brought the Party into disrepute by her actions.
They also claim that the Labour Party has failed in its own disciplinary procedures.
They allege that the procedure followed by the NEC in the selection of Fiaz was flawed.
We understand that the Labour Party has yet to provide a substantive response, but that the complainants are proceeding to meet with counsel as we write.
This will be fascinating. The Labour Party will have a month to sort this out or become embroiled in a legal tussle just as they are going to the electorate.