A confidential source leaked information to MPACUK regarding evidence of Islamophobic abuse and a subsequent cover up among elements of the local Labour Party in Ilford and in London.

Syed Siddiqi, Secretary of the Ilford South CLP and local co-ordinator for Momentum, initially reported recorded Islamophobic abuse by Manjit Panesar to Labour compliance in London and to the Police.

Whilst Panesar was initially suspended from the Labour Party, his membership was reinstated with his abuse unaddressed.

Afterwards, Siddiqi’s membership was suspended without specific allegation or evidence. As a result, he had been de-selected as a Councillor candidate.

The evidence we received from our source as well as the full story and a comment by Syed Siddiqi is given below.

There would be no doubt, that if someone committed anti-Semitic abuse, they would be kicked out from the party. So why the double standards when it comes to anti-Muslim abuse?

*ACT NOW*

1. SIGN this petition: https://www.change.org/p/jeremy-corbyn-mp-stop-islamophobia-in-the-labour-party-and-reinstate-syed-e-siddiqi-from-suspension
   
2. Tweet Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) – Demand answers as to:
   1. Why Manjit Panesar was allowed to be a member of the Labour Party again after his hateful Islamophobic rant?
   2. Why Syed Siddiqi’s membership was suspended without any specific allegation over his conduct in the local Labour CLP, despite him having the full backing of his CLP?

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THE FULL STORY

Part of the leak is a voice recording of Islamophobic abuse made on 12^th September. Our source confirms that it is Manjit Panesar abusing the CLP secretary and local Momentum co-ordinator Syed Siddiqi.

Audio Recording of the Abuse

Our source also confirms Mr Panesar is a barrister who has been stopped from practicing because of his professional conduct and disbarred on several occasions over the last 10 years. Documents have been given to MPACUK confirming this.

We also obtained emails showing that Siddiqi reported the incident to the police, as well as correspondence between the Labour Party and Siddiqi on the incident.

The emails show Panesar was initially suspended. This action was supported by the Executive Committee of the Ilford South CLP, but then Panesar was re-instated by the Labour Party on 6^th October with the vague explanation, “in light of additional information”.

When the CLP refused to allow him to attend meetings, Labour compliance stated that he must be treated normally on the basis of his UNITE membership.

Subsequently, Siddiqi faces equally vague counter claims of “neglect of duties” and “having a detrimental effect upon the CLP”. On 7^th December, he was suspended by the Labour Party, which also resulted in being deselected as a Councillor candidate.

However, we have evidence of a signed letter of confidence in Syed Siddiqi by core members of the Ilford South CLP address to Dan Hogan, the investigations officer.

So why was Siddiqi suspended on such a basis if he had the full support of his CLP? And why was Panesar’s membership reinstated given he made clearly Islamophobic comments?

Our source also stated that local MPs were contacted about the matter but nothing was done. Does Mikes Gapes, a vocal Zionist and anti-Momentum MP, have any vested interest in this?

We contacted Siddiqi himself and he confirmed that the above information is true and that the police have been stalling the investigation for 3 months since it has been reported.

Siddiqi also stated that “it is highly unusual for such complaints raised against me to go straight to Labour London without it being addressed by the local CLP first.

“I have full support by my CLP but it appears Labour London are not taking their voices into account either.

“I have approached regional representatives for the Redbridge Labour Party as well. The NEC has been contacted too, but they have not responded or acknowledged the issue yet.

“How my case has been handled by London Labour goes totally against Shami Chakribathi’s report into hate crime. Suspending members must be done with notification of specific allegations and with evidence. That has not happened and is against natural justice.

“In addition, the re-instatement of Panesar as a member after clear evidence of Islamophobic abuse is outrageous and despicable, especially in light of my suspension.”