IN the wake of the publication of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) investigation into anti-semitism within Labour, and the subsequent suspension of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, the response of many on the left shows how far they are still invested in the false narratives of Labour anti-semitism, and how ill-equipped they are to protect the left from further accusations.

Commenting on events, prominent social media figures such as Ash Sarkar, Aaron Bastani and Owen Jones have all responded in defence of Corbyn against his suspension with variations on the theme that the EHRC report itself was good — but it has been overshadowed by disciplinary action taken against Corbyn and misrepresentation of the report’s findings by the press.

In this regard, such commentators point to the fact that the report clearly indicates only two known breaches of the law on behalf of the party, and a further 18 other “borderline” events which could not be considered breaches of legal duty; they point to the lack of designation in the paper of Labour as being “institutionally anti-semitic,” as well as the recognition that internal processes for dealing with complaints of anti-semitism improved after the appointment of Jennie Formby as general secretary in 2018.