The equality watchdog’s probe leaves Labour with a painful choice

Today’s confirmation that the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is launching a formal investigation of the Labour party has huge personal significance for me. I was the chief operating officer for the Commission between 2012 and 2015, responsible for redesigning the approach to statutory enquiries and investigations. I also had a role in making the Commission a warmer house for Jews. The EHRC I joined was not an organisation beloved of the state. Unfortunately this was not a function of its fearless independence, more that it wasn’t taken terribly seriously with a poor reputation amongst ministers. Budget cuts and obsessive introspection by some staff who regarded the body as a pressure group for leftist causes had seriously imperilled its very existence. Gradually, the organisation recovered ground. Sharper focus and staff turnover have resulted in a transformed Commission led by an outstanding chief executive Rebecca Hilsenrath, my former colleague. Enforcement action by the EHRC has resulted, amongst other things, in better protection for gig economy workers, the striking down of fees for employment tribunals, better safeguards for looked after children and the ending of gender segregation in religious schools.