Two days ago, we published an open letter from Darrall Cozens to Jennie Formby, complaining about being suspended from Labour membership for THREE YEARS, without having a date for his hearing. (Link here). Following that open letter, we have received this letter, from another suspended Labour member who is in exactly the same position of waiting for due process:
Complaint made to Jennie Formby, dated Saturday 28th July, 2018
By Pam Bromley, Rossindale councillor
Dear Jennie,
I am a Rossendale Labour Borough Councillor, and I wish to protest about the disgraceful way I have been treated by the Labour Party as regards being suspended since March 2018 on accusations that I have made anti-Semitic remarks on social media and hold anti-Semitic views, as alleged by the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism, an allegation which I deny most strenuously.
I have just discovered that my case will not now be heard until September, not July as I had been informed by the investigating officer. Despite assurances that I would be kept up to date with progress I heard nothing from the Party and had to elicit the information myself by contacting the investigating officer.
I have made three requests for my Subject Access Request, without success.
I fully understand that the Labour Party must investigate such claims and I have patiently cooperated with the inquiry as led by the investigating officer, but surely there has to be a quicker and fairer way of assessing whether there is a case before damaging the reputation of the accused, and certainly not in full view of the media until the facts have been proved. I have been vilified in the local press who somehow got hold of the story, been forced to defend my employment following a vexatious complaint made by an independent, politically opposed councillor who has sought to have me sacked. I have made 2 complaints to Standards about this.
In the interim period, to the annoyance of my Labour Group (of which I was secretary), I am unable to participate in meetings and other matters. I am also unable to attend LP meetings or canvass, something that would be very important if the expected snap general election were to called. Other Labour Party members, councillors, constituents and members of the public who know me and know full well that I do not, nor have I ever, held racist views of any description, cannot understand why I have been suspended in the first place or why the investigation is taking so long. It is beyond my comprehension why, at this crucial time, it is advantageous to the Party to have a Labour councillor excluded from all Party activity for lengthy periods of time.
Your appointment as General Secretary, the shift in delegations to the NEC, and a new definition on anti-Semitism have given me hope that justice would be done; however I am still suspended and I am unable to participate in any campaigning as a LP member in a winnable marginal seat.
I hope to see a speedy resolution to this matter.
Pam Bromley
Elected Labour Councillor for Whitewell
February 20, 2019
