Labour set to name ex-staffers it alleges leaked antisemitism report

The Labour party is reportedly preparing to accuse five ex-staffers of leaking an internal report on antisemitism.

They deny having leaked the report and said they cooperated fully with the inquiries.

According to The Guardian, papers have been lodged at the high court by the party that will seek to place responsibility for the leak on Seumas Milne, Karie Murphy, Georgie Robertson, Laura Murray and Harry Hayball, according to the ex-staffers lawyers. The Carter-Ruck law firm said the group would “vigorously defend themselves” and seek full reimbursement for their legal fees.

Murphy worked as former leader Jeremy Corbyn’s chief of staff, while Milne served as his head of communications.

The report, titled ‘The work of the Labour party’s governance and legal unit in relation to antisemitism, 2014–2019’, was leaked to the press in April 2020.

The document was intended to be submitted to an investigation by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

It alleged that staff had worked to undermine Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership and sent abusive messages about senior party figures. The report’s critics claim it was leaked in order to “smear whistleblowers” who exposed antisemitism.

Keir Starmer launched an independent inquiry into the report upon being made leader. A second inquiry was led by Martin Forde QC.

The report has since been tied up in legal action, with the Labour party facing a claim by several staff named in the report.

Emilie Oldknow, who is pursuing legal action against the party, was unsuccessful when she attempted to force Labour to reveal the names of those it believed were involved in the leak.

The party have not yet commented on their new decision to disclose the five names.