Why Jackie Walker has withdrawn from LP disciplinary hearing Archived Message Posted by johnhol on March 26, 2019, 6:49 pm Begins: A STATEMENT FROM JACKIE WALKER JVL Introduction Black Jewish activist Jackie Walker, victim of a campaign to have her expelled from the Labour Party, has wrong-footed her accusers by refusing to take part in her long-delayed disciplinary hearing because of mounting evidence that the process is stacked against her. Today (March 26) Jackie Walker was forced to withdraw from a Labour Party disciplinary hearing when the panel due to pronounce on her case refused to allow her to make a short opening statement in her defence. This was essential given the party’s refusal last week to deal with urgent questions from her lawyers about alarming last-minute additions to the charges against her. Background Jackie Walker (a black Jewish woman) was suspended from the Labour Party 2 ½ years ago for asking a Labour Party antisemitism trainer, at an antisemitism training event, for a definition of antisemitism. Since then she has been the subject of the most appalling and unrelenting racist abuse and threats, including a bomb threat. Today Jackie Walker attended her long-delayed Labour Party disciplinary hearing. She was accompanied by her defence witnesses and legal team; she had submitted over 400 pages of evidence in her defence but had been given no opportunity to respond to extra charges sent to her last week, along with a major revision to the basis on which allegations of antisemitism would be assessed. At the beginning of the hearing, the Chair advised Jackie Walker that this was to be an informal hearing and that she could address him by his first name. The Chair then invited procedural questions. Jackie asked to be allowed to make a brief opening address to the Chair and Panel. The team of Labour Party lawyers objected. The Chair adjourned the meeting to consider Jackie’s request to speak, and then ruled that she must remain silent. Jackie Walker had no alternative other than to withdraw from the hearing, as the panel’s decision demonstrated that she had no chance of a fair hearing in a process that has lacked equity and natural justice from the start. Jackie Walker said: “After almost three years of racist abuse and serious threats; of almost three years of being demonised, and now being ambushed by a batch of last minute changes, I was astounded that the Labour Party refused to allow me a few short moments to personally address the disciplinary panel to speak in my own defence. What is so dangerous about my voice that it is not allowed to be heard?” All I have ever asked for is for equal treatment, due process and natural justice; it seems that this is too much to ask of the Labour Party.” Below is a full statement detailing the gross unfairness Jackie Walker has been subjected to during her Labour Party disciplinary process. Continues: https://www.jewishvoiceforlabour.org.uk/blog/why-jackie-walker-has-withdrawn-from-lp-disciplinary-hearing/ Message Thread: Why Jackie Walker has withdrawn from LP disciplinary hearing - johnhol March 26, 2019, 6:49 pm Re: Why Jackie Walker has withdrawn from LP disciplinary hearing - dovetailjoint March 26, 2019, 7:00 pm People seriously expect this bunch of bastards to rescue us from fascism? - Keith-264 March 26, 2019, 7:14 pm Where's Corbyn? Is he "Campaigning in Morecambe" again? nm. - Ken Waldron March 26, 2019, 8:40 pm Where's Corbyn? - Exactly. His silence is deafening :( nm - MikeD March 26, 2019, 11:02 pm Re: Where's Corbyn? - Exactly. His silence is deafening :( nm - Tomski March 27, 2019, 12:47 am I would guess he has his hands full with Jenny Formby's absence due to cancer - CJ March 27, 2019, 4:05 am Re: I would guess he has his hands full with Jenny Formby's absence due to cancer - Tomski March 27, 2019, 8:42 am Re: I would guess he has his hands full with Jenny Formby's absence due to cancer - CJ March 27, 2019, 2:17 pm   Searching