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LABOUR activists plan to hold an alternative inquiry into the actions of party officials during Jeremy Corbyn’s time as leader, including an alleged attempt to undermine Labour’s 2017 general election campaign.
In May last year, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer asked barrister Martin Forde to investigate an explosive leaked report which published evidence of racism, factionalism and electoral sabotage by party officials.
Left-wing members of the party said today that they would hold a “Not the Forde inquiry” since Mr Forde has yet to report on his investigation a year on.
Norman Thomas, one of the organisers, said the event would give people the chance to say in public what they would have told the inquiry if they had had the chance.
Mr Thomas said: “This explosive leaked report appears to be a shocking exposé of an attack on democracy at the heart of the Labour Party.
“This is far too important for the inquiry to be delayed any longer. We have to get these things out into the open now.”
The “Not the Forde inquiry” event is being held by the Labour In Exile Network (LIEN), which includes members who say they have been unfairly suspended or expelled from the party for supporting Mr Corbyn, Mr Starmer’s immediate predecessor as Labour leader.
Mr Thomas, who was chairman of South Thanet Constituency Labour Party (CLP) until he was suspended for allowing members to debate the withdrawal of the Labour whip from Mr Corbyn, said: “I believe the Forde inquiry’s findings are being suppressed because the party’s leadership simply wants to bury the truth.
“But we, the grassroots members, aren’t going to let that happen. We refuse to be silenced.”
Among those testifying to the inquiry will be former Momentum vice-chairwoman Jackie Walker and ex-Labour MP Chris Williamson, who are both named in the leaked report.
Other speakers will include Jewish Voice for Labour (JVL) co-founder and ousted party member Graham Bash, JVL co-chairwoman Councillor Leah Levane, Labour Against the Witchhunt co-chairwoman Tina Werkmann and former Hove CLP chairwoman Rebecca Massey. The inquiry will also hear a special message from film director Ken Loach.
The “Not the Forde inquiry” is on Saturday at 7pm. Register at https://bit.ly/3iaFPiz.
