Labour considers actions to protect antisemitism probe from fears of 'political forces'

Leaked report says the 'party’s process of dealing with antisemitism cases in particular needs to be improved'

Labour's investigations into antisemitism within its ranks should be sped up and complaints anonymised to protect it from the perception of political bias, a leaked report has said.

The party's ruling body is considering recommendations for a new dedicated antisemitism panel to deal swiftly with complaints, as well as ensuring all cases are anonymous to address fears that "political forces" could influence judgements.

Labour has been embroiled in a row over its handling of allegations of antisemitic abuse, with a backlog of around 100 ongoing complaints of anti-Jewish sentiment.

In the wake of angry protests by Jewish leaders outside Parliament, the party set up an internal working group to focus on its efforts in rooting out abuse.

Members of the group have reported concerns with the party’s process in a draft report, which was presented to Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) by general secretary Jennie Formby last week.

The report, obtained by The Huffington Post, said: "Stakeholders across the party have raised concerns that the party’s process of dealing with antisemitism cases in particular needs to be improved.

"The perception is that the process is not swift enough from start to finish, that it is susceptible to political forces at each stage of the process and that there is a lack of consistency in how cases are adjudicated on.

"The proposed changes in this document seek to take the themes outlined in the Chakrabarti report and apply them as a first step in a root-and-branch review of how the process works, learning the lessons from recent changes to the way the party handles other types of complaints - most notably sexual harassment."

Reforms pitched by the group also include more regular meetings of the NEC’s disputes panel, which currently only meets four times a year, meaning it can take more than four months to be discussed.

The specialist panel would include three specially-trained members would meet more regularly and act with the authority of the disputes panel to decide whether cases should be referred to Labour's National Constitutional Committee (NCC) for possible sanctions.

Sanctions would range from a verbal reminder on appropriate conduct to a written warning, suspension from party activities or mandatory training.

The draft proposals are understood to have been well received by the NEC and must now be finalised before being presented for approval its next meeting.

Former London mayor Ken Livingstone became the most high-profile casualty of the scandal when he quit the party last week - more than two years on from his original suspension over comments about Hitler and Zionism.

He said his presence had become a "distraction" for the party, as he had been facing fresh disciplinary proceedings over antisemitism.

Senior figures in the party have admitted that the row damaged their performance in the local elections earlier this month, where the party failed to pick up target councils in north London.

Labour had been hoping to seize Barnet Council, in particular, from the Tories, but its own Labour group leader said antisemitism allegations had hampered their chances to win over the borough's large Jewish population.

Jeremy Corbyn has vowed to root out abuse, making dealing with antisemitism the top priority for Ms Formby after her appointment as general secretary in March.