Please support this new case against the Labour Party
New case against the Labour Party
We are now supporting a case against egregious Labour Party behaviour launched by a Black Anglo-African Labour Councillor, Linda Lusingu. Linda is a solicitor who is a long-standing member of the LP, and was a BAME officer at her CLP. Linda is fighting a complaint involving allegations of racism made against her that resulted in her ongoing administrative suspension in January 2023 and the loss of the Labour Whip at the council.
Since that time she has endured a gruelling disciplinary process which requires her to defend herself against extremely serious allegations. She has provided a detailed response refuting the allegations, so far to no avail.
Linda has been the victim of multiple hate crimes since the complaints were made against her, including having her car tyres slashed eight times, dead animals placed in front of her car and sustained bullying and harassment. The Party has not properly addressed her complaints of racism lodged in November 2021 and her report of a Data Protection Breach.
This treatment, including from the aggressive disciplinary procedures by the GLU (Governance and Legal Unit) of the LP, has caused her to suffer enormous harm to her health. She has experienced a lack of transparency, clarity and fair process in contravention of natural justice.
Part of the LP’s case is that it is inappropriate not to name check Jewish Councillors in a BAME statistic aimed at highlighting shortage of Black Women in public office. The body of the report highlights other forms of racism which the Party ignored.
Linda has identified that she has been treated demonstratively differently from other councillors who have had complaints made against them:
- One used the N- word three times at her CLP AGM. She had the whip restored and was fully reinstated while the investigation took place, continuing to serve as a Labour Councillor, including being reselected, while under internal investigation.
- Another was filmed threatening violence (Krav Maga) against a Black LP member, investigated swiftly and exonerated.
- One councillor admitted that antisemitic and racist posts had been made on his social media under his name. A formal complaint was made but he stated he had been set up and they were not posted by him. This was accepted by the NEC and his case was resolved within 4 weeks.
- A fourth councillor, was recorded using anti-black racist tropes and stereotypes at a Black History Month event and had been known to make jokes about the Slave Trade. After complaints were lodged he was not suspended, but was invited to a meeting with the NEC which accepted his apology.
Meanwhile, Linda remains suspended. She was told the NEC Panel had found a prima facie case against her in June 2023 but was not told the reasons for this decision. They still ignore her communications and have warned her not to contact them. She is now awaiting a hearing before the Independent Complaints Board (ICB) on 4 November 2024.
For these reasons Linda has taken out a civil claim against the LP accusing them of direct discrimination, victimisation and harassment, which we are supporting with legal counsel. The claim has already been served on the party and the next hearing is likely to be early next year.
These allegations would impact Linda’s career and livelihood and therefore she has to continue to fight what have been very damaging impacts on her reputation. Linda maintains that this is the worst case of anti-black racism that she has endured, having suffered bullying and ostracization in an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating and offensive environment. She is fighting not only for herself but also for future generations of black women who aspire to public office.
All legal support is expensive and all previous funds raised here were spent on our previous cases so we are starting to fundraise from scratch. We know there are many calls on your pocket at this time, but we believe this case is highly deserving of our support and that you will give generously if you can. And please share on all your networks.
Thank you.
The link to share and also for donations is: JUSTICE FOR ALL LABOUR PARTY MEMBERS
At this point, getting suspended from the Labour party is a badge of honour. I evidently was not prominent enough, so I had to tell them what Elon Musk told his advertisers to do (even then they came back for my unpaid subs).
My own mental health & well-being immediately improved.
Disgraceful treatment
Again, the Labour Party, controlled by the right wing goons of Starmer KC, is oppressing a woman, a black woman, over her legitimate political views, It is again a symptom of the Labour Party’s now fundamental deep racism.
Please, all, contribute cash to this case, as I am doing. Thank you, again, JVL, for persisting with combatting nasty perseceution within our own country.
Anything I can do to help?
If you can afford it, please donate to the crowd funder and encourage others to support it.
I think your opening sentence is misleading. It reads as if Linda is responsible for the behaviour. It should read ‘against’ I think.
I know Linda. A socialist and brave woman who is true to her principles. She has experienced atrocious racism, bullying and abuse is an environment which, as a comrade in the same CLP, I found the most toxic I have ever experienced. Linda, as an intelligent black female was too much of a threat. I urge people to support her fight for justice not just for her sake but for all those who have suffered the bullying and harassment from this appalling Labour Group.
Amended to remove ambiguity
Linda is a gem in a sack of coal on the council, she has been outspoken on the right side of history and shunned by other councillors.
Having recently had the NEC rule that calling an English muslim woman Hamas is perfectly ok, I know well what shes up against. Imagine a british jew blamed for the ongoing genocide and labour saying thats ok. Its horrendous.
“A socialist and brave woman who is true to her principles”
Yet, like so many ‘Labour socialists’ or the ‘Labour left’ she not only stays loyal to the wretched imperialist party, but deluded in thinking the problems the leader, rather than Labour itself.
Time and time again the Labour left get dragged through it but still fail to get the message, forever hanging on in the perfidious party.
“Part of the LP’s case is that it is inappropriate not to name check Jewish Councillors in a BAME statistic aimed at highlighting shortage of Black Women in public office.”
Two relevant facts are these, based on this summary
1. Jews are recognised in Britain as being a racial minority who are protected from racial discrimination
2. However the 2021 census does not regard Jews as being Black, Asian or mixed race or White but are categorised as “other”. https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/style-guide/ethnic-groups/
In Scotland, the issue is addressed explicitly. Jews as counted under the “other category”
So quite apart from the wider issues, it seems that it would have been a entirely arguable for Linda lusungu to have counted Jewish councillors as being black in the first place.
My solidarity is fully with Linda. She is one of the most genuine and caring people I know. She fights tirelessly against racism in all it’s forms and for her to have been targeted in this way just proves how disingenuous the Labour Party is when it comes to anti racism. Bullying and harassing a black woman is racist and breaches all human rights standards and moral codes. Shame on the Labour Party and shame on anyone who doesn’t stand up and call this out for what it is!
Barnet Labour is a racist endeavour.
It is why I left the Party.
The Labour Party is indeed a very sick beast. Perhaps it is time it was put down?
Can anyone give any information as to what Linda has actually been accused of? It says allegations of racism but how can we support without knowing exactly what she’s been accused of.
Shocking – even now when I thought nothing about the Labour party could shock me any more. I’ve donated, and shared with a group of racial justice donors who I hope will be able to send more money.
The Labour right under Starmer continues it’s assault on the left while the UK is made party to a risk of WW3 in Ukraine & supports one of history’s most one-sided genocides in Gaza. Horrific.
People are asking for more details of the Labour Party case against Linda. As you will have seen, her claim that there have been breaches of the Equality Act is already within the justice process and so there have been restrictions on what can be disclosed at this stage.
This sounds atrocious: particularly in light of the favourable treatment afforded those whose politics align with the Party Leadership. Solidarity Linda; you are not alone.