Misplaced Pages

Equality and Human Rights Commission

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
(Redirected from Commission for Equality and Human Rights) Non-departmental public body in Great Britain For the Ethiopian body, see Ethiopian Human Rights Commission. For the commission in the Republic of Ireland, see Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.

Equality and Human Rights Commission
Welsh: Comisiwn Cydraddoldeb a Hawliau Dynol
Agency overview
Formed1 October 2007
JurisdictionGreat Britain
Employees218
Annual budget£17.1 million (FY 20/21)
Agency executives
  • Baroness Falkner, Chair
  • John Kirkpatrick, Interim Chief Executive
  • Lesley Sawers, Interim Deputy Chair; Scotland Commissioner
Parent departmentCabinet Office
Key document
Websitehttps://www.equalityhumanrights.com

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is a non-departmental public body in Great Britain, established by the Equality Act 2006 with effect from 1 October 2007. The Commission has responsibility for the promotion and enforcement of equality and non-discrimination laws in England, Scotland and Wales (in Scotland, together with the Scottish Human Rights Commission). It took over the responsibilities of the Commission for Racial Equality, the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Disability Rights Commission. The EHRC also has responsibility for other aspects of equality law: age, sexual orientation and religion or belief. A national human rights institution, it seeks to promote and protect human rights throughout Great Britain.

The EHRC has offices in Manchester, London, Glasgow and Cardiff. It is a non-departmental public body (NDPB) sponsored by the Government Equalities Office, part of the Cabinet Office. It is separate from, and independent of, Government but accountable for its use of public funds. Its Commissioners are appointed by the Minister for Women and Equalities. The EHRC's functions do not extend to Northern Ireland, where there is a separate Equality Commission (ECNI) and a Human Rights Commission (NIHRC), each and both established under the Northern Ireland Act 1998 in pursuance to the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. The EHRC is also prevented from taking action on devolved human rights matters which the Scottish Parliament has granted the Scottish Human Rights Commission responsibility.

The current head of the EHRC is Kishwer Falkner, Baroness Falkner of Margravine, who took on the role in December 2020. The Commission has been criticised for its treatment of minority staff, and since 2021 for its actions in transgender matters.

Powers

This section possibly contains original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed. (July 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

The EHRC derives its powers from the Equality Act 2006, which resulted from the government white paper, Fairness for All: A New Commission for Equality and Human Rights. Section 3 states the EHRC has a general duty to work towards the development of a society where equality and rights are rooted. This is taken to mean,

  • people's ability to achieve their potential is not limited by prejudice or discrimination,
  • there is respect for and protection of each individual's human rights (including respect for the dignity and worth of each individual),
  • each person has an equal opportunity to participate in society, and
  • there is mutual respect between communities based on understanding and valuing of diversity and on shared respect for equality and human rights.

Section 30 strengthens the EHRC's ability to apply for judicial review and to intervene in court proceedings, through giving explicit statutory provision for such action. Sections 31–2 gives the EHRC a new power to assess public authorities' compliance with their positive equality duties. It can issue "compliance notices" if it finds a public authority is failing in its duties. Public authorities, importantly, are bound under the Human Rights Act 1998 to act in a way compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights (s.6 HRA). The EHRC's role is therefore one of catching matters before they lead to the courts. So if you work for a public sector employer (like a local council or the civil service) there are more avenues to enforce equality standards in your favour. This may seem somewhat odd, considering that public sector employers are consistently shown to have excellent workplace practices. Section 30(3) of the Equality Act 2006 allows the EHRC to bring judicial review proceedings under the HRA against public authorities. This is a stronger tool than usual, because the EHRC is not subject to the normal requirement of being a "victim" of a Human Rights violation.

Under section 24, the EHRC can enter into binding agreements with employers. So for instance, it can agree that an employer will commit to equality best practice audits or avoid discriminatory practices that it may identify, in return for not investigating (a bad thing for employers' publicity). It can enforce these agreements through injunctions. Previously only the Disability Rights Commission had such powers, the CRE and the EOC were more limited. For instance, the EOC used only to have the power to get injunctions against bodies with a bad track record of discrimination.

Section 20 gives the EHRC the power to carry out investigations when it has the "suspicion" of unlawful discrimination taking place. Before. this had been limited to a requirement of "reasonable suspicion" which in effect led the predecessors to be much more cautious. In legal terms this is the difference between an irrationality test and a reasonable man test. In other words, a court could not declare an investigation unlawful unless it considered that the EHRC was carrying out an investigation where no reasonable person could have come to the same conclusion. Before a court could declare an investigation unlawful if it thought that the proverbial "man on the Clapham Omnibus" would not regard an employer as being a suspect "discriminator".

There are some complications in relation to the Human Rights Act 1998 with the EHRC's powers. If it is going to be a "named investigation" (i.e. the employer will probably get shamed by the publication of its name during an investigation), the EHRC cannot start an investigation into a public authority for breaches under the HRA. Also, it cannot support individual cases in tribunals and courts where the issue would concern matters that fall only under the HRA and not under some pre-existing British equality legislation (like the Sex Discrimination Act 1975). Practically this will be problematic, not least because if a claim did exist under the HRA, British legislation which did not cover such problems would usually be updated to comply with European Convention rights (these are the ones that the HRA implements). Also, the line between what is in the European Convention, what is actually covered by domestic legislation, is difficult to draw. At any rate, section 28 gives the Minister the power to give authorisation for a discrimination case to be fought if a domestic legislation issue has dropped away, but a purely human rights issue remains.

As a successor body, the EHRC's new powers were not dramatic. Some people called for the changes to go further, for instance, to allow the EHRC to bring proceedings against employers in its own name on any issue (not just human rights ones). The American, Australian, Belgian, Canadian and New Zealand counterparts can.

Campaigns

These include:

2010 – Care and Support A report produced by the Commission highlighted the need to shift from a "safety net" approach to care to a "springboard". The report suggested ways that individuals could be given greater autonomy over their lives and encouraged to engage in society and make social and economic contributions.

2016 – Working Better The Working Better Initiative was launched with a remit of coming up with innovative ways to meet the needs of modern workforce, with a particular focus on flexibility and family life. The Home Front survey formed part of the initial consultation process.

2018 – Good Relations The Commission aims to provide research and resources and advice to Local Authorities and to enable greater understanding between communities.

Leadership

The Board of Commissioners comprises commissioners with backgrounds in equality and human rights, and the Commission's chief executive. The current chair of the Commission is Kishwer Falkner, Baroness Falkner of Margravine, who was appointed in late 2020. In November 2024, Bridget Phillipson, the equalities minister, announced that Falkner’s four-year term would be extended for 12 months, and that a new chair was being sought. The Chair serves as a spokesperson, and leader to the Commission together with the Chief Executive.

Chairs
Name Tenure Notes
Kishwer Falkner 2020–present
David Isaac 2016–2020
Onora O'Neill 2012–2016
Trevor Phillips 2007–2012

Meanwhile, Commissioners act with accordance to the Nolan Principles, and whatever direction given to them on their appointment by the Minister for Women and Equalities. The Deputy Chair has the additional duty to cover for the Chair in their absence.

Commissioners
Name Notes
John Kirkpatrick Interim Chief Executive
Lesley Sawers Interim Deputy Chair; Scotland Commissioner
Jessica Butcher
David Goodhart
Su-Mei Thompson
Akua Reindorf
Kunle Olulode
Joanne Cash
Alasdair Henderson

The EHRC has four offices: in London, in Manchester (in the Arndale Centre), in Cardiff, and in Glasgow.

International status

Although it operates at sub-national level, the EHRC was in 2009 recognised as a member of the worldwide network of national human rights institutions, securing "A status" accreditation from the former International Co-ordinating Committee of NHRIs (ICC). This gives the Commission enhanced access to the Human Rights Council, treaty bodies and other United Nations human rights bodies. The EHRC was the second NHRI in the UK, following the creation of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) in 1999, and preceding the Scottish Human Rights Commission. The three bodies share representation and voting rights in the ICC's successor, the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions and its regional network, the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions.

The EHRC has since 2008 engaged in parallel reporting ("shadow reporting") at examinations of the UK under the UN and Council of Europe human rights treaties, and in the Universal Periodic Review. However, its the NIHRC and SHRC have been noted in recent years as being more engaged than the institutions with the process.

In 2008 the EHRC was designated as a part of the UK's independent mechanism responsible for promoting, monitoring and protecting the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It shares this role with the other UK NHRIs and the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.

History

Trevor Phillips became head of the Commission for Racial Equality in 2003, and on its abolition in 2006 was appointed full-time chairman of its successor, the EHRC. Phillips' tenure as EHRC chairman (which at his request became a part-time position in 2009) was at times controversial. Under Phillips' leadership it was reported that six of the body's commissioners departed after expressing concerns about his leadership and probity and others were reported to be considering their position. Some of the first set of Commissioners resigned towards the end of their first term, while others did not seek a second term. These Commissioners included Morag Alexander, Kay Allen, Baroness Campbell of Surbiton, Jeannie Drake CBE, Joel Edwards, Mike Smith, Professor Kay Hampton, Francesca Klug, Sir Bert Massie CBE, Ziauddin Sardar, Ben Summerskill and Dr Neil Wooding. Klug, who resigned in summer 2009, described a culture of intimidation at the Commission, while Hamptom said Phillips "didn't get human rights", Summerskill described a problem of nepotism, and Massie described it as "sluggish".

Nicola Brewer, the first chief executive (and ex officio Commissioner), resigned in March 2009 and returned to the diplomatic service. Her successor's salary was advertised at £120,000 (£65,000 less than she had been paid), a similar salary to its directors.

In 2010 Phillips was investigated regarding alleged attempts to influence a committee (the Joint Committee on Human Rights) writing a report on him. He would have been the first non-politician in over half a century to be convicted of this offence, but the Lords Committee found that the allegations were "subjective, and that no firm factual evidence is presented in their support; nor are they borne out by the submissions by individual members of the JCHR." He was cleared of contempt of Parliament and the House of Lords recommended that new and clearer guidance about the conduct of witnesses to Select Committees be issued. However, he was told his behaviour was "inappropriate and ill-advised".

Phillips completed his second term of office in September 2012, which, together with his term at the CRE made him the longest serving leader of any UK equality commission.

In 2006 Phillips asserted that Britain's current approach to multiculturalism could cause Britain to "sleepwalk towards segregation". He expanded on these views in 2016 in a publication by Civitas entitled Race and Faith: the Deafening Silence, in which he said that "squeamishness about addressing diversity and its discontents risks allowing our country to sleepwalk to a catastrophe that will set community against community, endorse sexist aggression, suppress freedom of expression, reverse hard-won civil liberties, and undermine the liberal democracy that has served this country so well for so long."

The third chair of the Commission was David Isaac, appointed in 2016. Isaac was formerly chairman of LGBT charity Stonewall and trustee of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.

In 2017, the National Audit Office reported that the Commission's budget had been cut by almost 70% in the ten years since it was created, with plans for a further 25% reduction over the next four years.

Isaacs' tenure came to an end in August 2020. The interim chair was Caroline Waters (previously deputy chair), until the appointment of Kishwer Falkner, Baroness Falkner of Margravine the next Chair by the Liz Truss, Minister for Women and Equalities

Notable investigations

British National Party

Following the election of two MEPs from the British National Party (BNP) in the 2009 European elections, a potential issue of public funding was raised by the Commission as the BNP constitution states that recruitment is only open to members who are "indigenous Caucasian and defined ethnic groups emanating from that Race" The Commission's legal director John Wadham stated that "The legal advice we have received indicates that the British National party's constitution and membership criteria, employment practices and provision of services to constituents and the public may breach discrimination laws which all political parties are legally obliged to uphold" This relates to the Race Relations Act 1976, which outlaws the refusal or deliberate omission to offer employment on the basis of non-membership of an organisation.

The EHRC asked the BNP to provide written undertakings that there will not be discrimination in its recruitment procedures. The party responded to the letter by stating that it "intends to clarify the word 'white' on its website". However, because the EHRC believed the BNP would continue to discriminate against potential or actual members on racial grounds, the commission announced that they had issued county court proceedings against it. In a statement, the Commission reduced the grounds on which it was taking action against the BNP, stating "The Commission believes the BNP's constitution and membership criteria are discriminatory and, further, that the continued publication of them on the BNP website is unlawful. It has therefore issued county court proceedings against party leader Nick Griffin and two other officials. The Commission decided not to take action on two further grounds set out in its letter before action, in the light of the BNP's commitment to comply with the law."

Metropolitan Police Service

In September 2016, the EHRC published a report on discrimination within the Metropolitan Police Service. The investigation was launched in response to concerns about the MPS's treatment of Black and minority ethnic (BME), female and gay officers and focused on the MPS's grievance and misconduct procedures.

Inequality

A 2018 EHRC report, co-authored by Jonathan Portes and Howard Reed, found government policies disproportionately harmed the poorest in UK society. Public service and benefits cuts disproportionately affect those with least, single parents and disabled people. This puts the government in breach of its human rights obligations. The study considers the extent of the cuts and their disproportionate effect on the most disadvantaged were a policy choice, and not inevitable.

The study investigates spending on the NHS, social care, police, transport, housing and education from 2010 to 2015 on different groups in England, Scotland and Wales. It also attempts to predict the effect of spending plans for these services to 2021–22, and alterations to taxes and benefits. Reductions per person since 2010 were notably higher in England, (roughly 18%) than in Wales (5.5%) and Scotland (1%), partly because devolved governments chose to reduce some effects of the cuts. The 20% of people in England with lowest income lost on average 11% of their incomes due to austerity contrasted with no losses for the wealthiest fifth of households. Lone-parent households lost most from tax and spending alterations, on average. In England, they lost 19% of their income, contrasted with 10.5% in Wales and 7.6% in Scotland. Large families lost more than smaller ones. Families with three or more children lost on average 13% of final income, contrasted with between 7% and 8% in Scotland and Wales. Households with disabled members, households with an average adult age of 18–24, and black households lost disproportionately from austerity cuts.

Making vulnerable groups suffer austerity cuts disproportionately goes against non-discrimination principles which the UK has agreed to under international human rights law. Ministers are asked by the authors to reduce the impact of austerity cuts through raising means-tested benefits, tax credits and universal credit, and increasing spending on health, social care, education and social housing.

Rebecca Hilsenrath of the EHRC said, "We know that some communities are being left behind and that the gap is widening. We know we need to do something before it's too late and we've shown that it's possible to assess public spending decisions to see if we can make the impact fairer."

Labour Party

Main article: Antisemitism in the UK Labour Party

In September 2017, EHRC Chief Executive, Rebecca Hilsenrath, demanded a zero tolerance approach to antisemitism in the Labour Party and swift action by the leadership to deal with it. In March 2019, Antony Lerman, former founding director of the Institute for Jewish Policy Research, raised concerns that Hilsenrath's September 2017 statement made her unsuitable to lead a probe into Labour, writing in OpenDemocracy: "Prior to investigation, is it not worrying that the CEO already claims to know what the Labour Party needs to do?" Hilsenrath later recused herself from the decision to investigate the Labour Party as her status as “an active member of the Anglo-Jewish community" could cause a perception of bias.

In May 2019, after submissions by the Jewish Labour Movement and the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), the EHRC launched a formal investigation under section 20 of the Equality Act 2006 into whether Labour had "unlawfully discriminated against, harassed or victimised people because they are Jewish": specifically, whether "unlawful acts have been committed by the party and/or its employees and/or its agents, and; whether the party has responded to complaints of unlawful acts in a lawful, efficient and effective manner."

The CAA was represented in its case to the EHRC by Doughty Street Chambers barrister Adam Wagner, a member of the EHRC's panel of counsel.

According to Middle East Eye, Jewish Voice for Labour (JVL) welcomed the investigation but argued that, without making public the complaints the EHRC received and Labour's initial response, the EHRC have violated the Equality Act 2006 which requires that they specify who is being investigated and "the nature of the unlawful act" they are suspected of committing, as required by its own terms of reference.

In November 2019, JLM accused the Labour Party of "dirty tricks" against the EHRC for its lack of co-operation with the inquiry.

In December 2019, the JLM submission to the inquiry was leaked to the media. It included 70 sworn testimonies from current and former Party staff members, and concluded that “the Labour party is no longer a safe space for Jewish people”.

Draft findings were passed to the Labour Party in July 2020, with 28 days to respond. In October 2020, the EHRC published its report, determining that the party was "responsible for unlawful acts of harassment and discrimination". The EHRC determined that there were 23 instances of political interference by staff from the leader's office and others and that Labour had breached the Equality Act in two cases. Former party leader Jeremy Corbyn was suspended from the party for several weeks and had the party parliamentary whip removed on 29 October 2020 "for a failure to retract" his assertion that the scale of antisemitism within Labour had been overstated by opponents.

In December 2020, Labour published its action plan on antisemitism in response to the EHRC report.

Windrush scandal

In June 2020, it was announced the Commission would investigate the UK Home Office over its hostile environment policy towards migrants under the Coalition and Conservative governments, and the ensuing Windrush scandal. The report was published in November 2020.

Conservative Party

Main article: Islamophobia in the UK Conservative Party (1997–present)

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) first asked the EHRC to investigate the Conservative Party in May 2019. It received no reply and made a second request in November 2019 and again received no reply. In March 2020, the MCB submitted a dossier including 300 supposed cases of prejudiced or discriminatory language against Muslims within the Conservative Party. On 12 May, the EHRC announced that it would not be investigating the Conservative Party for racism, pending its monitoring of the party's own internal review.

Controversies around "gender-critical" views

"Gender-critical" views

In April 2021, the EHRC intervened in the legal appeal in the case of Forstater v Center for Global Development Europe, arguing that her "gender-critical" beliefs were protected under the Equality Act 2010, and hence that the CGD's decision not to renew Forstater's contract over such actions could amount to illegal discrimination. This led to criticism of the EHRC from trans and LGBTQ+ organisations such as Mermaids and Stonewall. Following this, the EHRC revealed that it had left Stonewall's Diversity Champions scheme in March 2021.

In October 2021, a group of academics published a letter in The Times calling on the EHRC to conduct a review of UK universities where policies are discriminating, the writers say, against "gender-critical" beliefs in the debate on transgender rights.

January 2022 statements on GRA reform and conversion therapy

On 26 January 2022 the EHRC wrote to Shona Robison, as Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government for the Scottish Government, raising concerns about the proposed reforms to the Gender Recognition Act 2004 in Scotland, mentioning "the collection and use of data", "participation and drug testing in competitive sport" and "practices within the criminal justice system", key subjects of controversy for "gender critical" feminists. The EHRC also made a submission to the UK government's public consultation regarding LGBTQ+ conversion therapy on the same day, proposing that "consensual" efforts to change sexual orientation or gender identity should be excluded from any ban, stating that the terms "conversion therapy" and "transgender" were ill-defined, and making several arguments that have been described as associated with a "pro-conversion-therapy lobby".

The EHRC's letters were criticised by LGBTQ+ groups across the United Kingdom, including Stonewall, who said the statements "undermine EHRC's core purpose of regulating, promoting and upholding human rights" as well as calling for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions to urgently review the EHRC; Liberty, who endorsed the call for the EHRC's status as a national human rights institution to be reviewed, as did UK Black Pride and the LGBT Foundation, who also announced that they would sever ties with the EHRC; Amnesty International UK, who described the statements as "actively damaging to the rights of trans and non-binary people in the UK" and "deeply troubling"; domestic-abuse and hate-crime support organisation Galop, who said that the statement "makes it clear that not understood the reality of conversion therapy in the UK"; and LGBT+ Labour, who also expressed concern at the "deeply harmful amendments" submitted by members of the Parliamentary Labour Party in their role as UK delegates to the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly. Other organisations criticising the EHRC's statements included Equality Network, UK umbrella organisation Consortium, the British LGBT Awards, LGBTQ+ youth charity akt, the Rainbow Project, Rainbow Greens, Trans in the City, the Feminist Gender Equality Network, Gendered Intelligence, Mermaids, Stonewall Housing, Pride Cymru, and Manchester Pride.

Further allegations of transphobia

In February 2022, three whistleblowers – still working at the EHRC – told VICE about an "anti-LGBT" culture being adopted by senior leaders at the organisation which they said was causing non-executive staff to quit. Additionally, six senior staff members – who had either recently left the EHRC or were currently working their notice period – described board members changing their work to make documents "transphobic and seriously inaccurate". When some employees complained, they were locked out of laptops and disciplinary action was taken against them. Scottish National Party MP John Nicolson, Depute Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Global LGBT+ Rights in the UK Parliament, said: "Sadly the EHRC appears now to be working against, not for, LGBT rights. Our community no longer see it as our friend but as our opponent. It's yet another organisation tainted by Boris Johnson and his appointees."

The same month, VICE also reported that Falkner was in favour of excluding transgender people from "single-sex spaces" in workplaces and businesses, including bathrooms which match their gender identity. Conservative MP Crispin Blunt, chair of a UK Parliament oversight group for LGBTQ rights, described the EHRC's work as a "direct assault" on the rights of trans people in the UK. In response, an EHRC spokesperson said: "We acknowledge that some EHRC staff have been unhappy, which we regret, and we are working hard to explain decisions and why they are in line with our statutory responsibilities. Sex and gender reassignment are legally protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, as are seven other characteristics. The Human Rights Act 1998 protects all rights in a balanced and proportionate way. These are the laws that the EHRC upholds impartially and we totally refute your insinuations of bias in the areas you mention."

When asked in an interview with Holyrood if she was a transphobe, Falkner replied: "I don't know what the meaning of that word is." She said that the term was used too much, and in the same interview added: "We understand that there are strong views here, but I think we all want to get to the same end, and the end is to make life easier for trans people to live in the identity that they feel so strongly committed to. That's the end that I want to see too. It's just all we ask for, in getting to that end, is for the Scottish Government to navigate the road a little bit more carefully, because you don't improve trans people's rights by damaging another group's rights. And potentially, that can happen in this regard."

On 11 February 2022, a legal challenge was launched against the EHRC by Stonewall, with the backing of the Good Law Project and more than 20 other LGBT rights organisations. Stonewall drew up a submission to the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), calling for the EHRC to lose its "A rating" because of its treatment of trans people. This challenge was launched after the EHRC was criticised for asking the Scottish Government to pause its plans to make it easier for people to change their legal gender. The submission accused the organisation of being "excessively" influenced by the UK government in the appointments of the chair and board members. In April 2022, it was reported that the GANHRI declined the request. It will conduct a routine review in October 2022. Responding to the announcement, EHRC chief executive Marcial Boo said: "We are pleased that the Sub-Committee on Accreditation assessed evidence of our independence and effectiveness and upheld our position, declining a special review of our work." A spokesperson for Stonewall said that it and the other organisations involved in the challenge "are now focusing on this opportunity to collect and present evidence" to the upcoming review. Following the review in October 2022, conducted by the GANHRI, the EHRC retained its "A-status." Baroness Falkner, Chairwoman of EHRC said: “We are delighted that our vital work as a defender of human rights in this country has been recognised internationally again. I am proud of the powerful example we continue to set as a National Human Rights Institution on the global stage. This is a clear recognition of our status as an independent organisation with a proven track record promoting and upholding human rights.”

Definition of sex in the Equality Act

In 2023, Kami Badenoch, the Minister for Women and Equalities, asked the EHRC for their advice on whether to amend the Equality Act 2010 to "clarify" that "sex", a protected characteristic, refers to "biological sex". Badenoch acted on the instruction of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who had said in his leadership campaign that "biology is critically important as we think about some of the very practical functions, like toilets or sports". In its response, published in April 2023, the EHRC said although there "is no straightforward balance" its view is that the amendment would "bring greater legal clarity" in a number of areas. For instance, it would enable trans people to be excluded from single-sex spaces even when they possess a gender recognition certificate (GRC).

Gender-critical campaign group Sex Matters, which petitioned to amend the act, welcomed the "measured and thoughtful analysis from the EHRC". LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall was angered, saying the move "risks opening yet another chapter in a manufactured culture war that will see little benefit to women, cis and trans alike". One former Legal Director of the EHRC described Sunak's proposed changes as "pure transphobia" and "based on misleading unevidenced transphobic assumptions".

In May 2023, UN independent expert Victor Madrigal-Borloz wrote that he was alarmed by the EHRC's letter to Badenoch in his end of mission statement. He said that the EHRC's objective "was to offer the government a formula through which it could carry out discriminatory distinctions currently unlawful under UK law", and that this action was "wholly unbecoming" of the institution. In the same month, 30 LGBTQ+ and human rights organisations wrote a letter to GANHRI, expressing concerns that the EHRC had failed to comply with the recommendations made by the body in its routine review in October 2022. In November 2023, GANHRI announced a special review into the EHRC, a process which could lead to the removal of its "A status". In a statement, Falkner said: "We are disappointed that we will have to defend our accreditation status in this way and remain very confident that we will be able to respond robustly to any questions." GANHRI released its findings during the April 2024 session on the SCA special review of the EHRC, concluding that at this time, no further review is required, allowing the EHRC to maintain its rating, but encouraging the EHRC to focus on the recommendations made by the SCA in 2023 and "encouraging the commission to engage with civil society organisations, including those working on transgender rights, in a meaningful and constructive manner."

Criticism

Conflicts of interest

Prior to David Isaac's appointment as chair of the Commission, two parliamentary committees warned that there was a potential conflict of interest because his legal firm, Pinsent Masons, carries out “significant work for the government”, after he accepted that his annual legal income of over £500,000 would dwarf the £50,000 he would earn from the EHRC. While Christian Concern called for his appointment to be blocked, it was welcomed by The Jewish Chronicle. In May 2019, Suzanne Baxter, another EHRC board member, joined Pinsent Masons.

In June 2020, Newsweek reported that an EHRC commissioner, Pavita Cooper, had failed to declare a November 2013 £3,500 donation to the Conservative Party recorded on the Electoral Commission website and an October 2013 fundraising reception she and her husband hosted for her local party in Brentford and Isleworth, both prior to her appointment as a commissioner in 2018. The EHRC made a statement saying "Pavita Cooper has not made a donation to any political party and is not a member of any party."

After resigning as chair in 2020, Isaac said that the EHRC had been undermined by pressure to support the Conservative government's agenda. "My view is that an independent regulator shouldn't be in a position where the governments of the day can actually influence the appointments of that body to support a particular ideology," he told The Guardian.

Allegations of racism

In March 2017, the EHRC was criticised by campaigners, including Lord Ouseley and Peter Herbert, for allegedly targeting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) staff for compulsory redundancies and for failing to appoint BAME personnel to senior positions. The campaigners said that, out of 12 staff selected for redundancy, only two were white British, while eight were from a BAME background, four were Muslim, and six were disabled. Campaigners also said that there were no visible minorities among the senior management team, after the only black director was selected for redundancy, and that all two of the remaining BAME workers were on the bottom three pay grades. The EHRC denied claims that staff were sacked by email.

In July 2020, Newsweek reported that two BAME former commissioners at the EHRC, Baroness Meral Hussein-Ece and Lord Simon Woolley, said they were not reappointed to their roles in November 2012 because they were "too loud and vocal" about issues of race.

A former senior staff member of the EHRC has made a legal claim against it for racial discrimination and unfair dismissal. The hearing begins on 2 October 2023.

Disabled people

In June 2019, Labour MP Debbie Abrahams wrote to the EHRC, asking the commission to investigate a potential cover-up by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of documents relating to the deaths of benefits claimants who had been sanctioned, as well as the way the department treatment of disabled people in general. Four months later, the EHRC announced that it was considering investigating the DWP.

However, the commission confirmed in June 2020 that no inquiry would take place. A spokesperson said: "The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on our work, as it has on many other organisations. We have responded to Debbie Abrahams to say that we have given very careful consideration to the concerns she has rightly raised about the impact of DWP policies and practices on disabled people. It remains an important area of focus for us but due to the pandemic we will not be able to undertake an inquiry in relation to the DWP this year." A week later, Disability News Service revealed that the EHRC refused to consult its own disabled advisers before dropping the probe.

Investigation of Kishwer Falkner

In May 2023, a lawyer was appointed to investigate complaints against Kishwer Falkner. The complaints were made by current or former staff at the EHRC. The nature of the complaints has not been disclosed. On 26 May, the investigation was suspended "following a backlash from 54 peers and outcry across the political spectrum". The investigation restarted in July 2023 but was closed in October 2023, following an independent review of the Commission's handling of complaints, initiated by the Minister for Women and Equalities, with Falkner remaining in her position as Chair.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Our offices | Equality and Human Rights Commission". www.equalityhumanrights.com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2019. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  2. "Our Commissioners, committees and governance". Equality and Human Rights Commission. 9 August 2020. Archived from the original on 29 July 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  3. "Four new commissioners appointed to board of Equality and Human Rights Commission". Scottish Legal News. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  4. Devine, Paula; Kelly, Grace; McAuley, Martina (2022). "Equality and Devolution in the United Kingdom: A Story in Three Acts and a Sequel". Social Policy and Society. 21 (4): 612–626. doi:10.1017/S1474746421000191. ISSN 1474-7464. S2CID 230544185.
  5. ^ O'Cinneide, Colm (1 June 2007). "The Commission for Equality and Human Rights:A New Institution for New and Uncertain Times". Industrial Law Journal. 36 (2): 141–162. doi:10.1093/indlaw/dwm001.
  6. "New chair of equalities watchdog is against call for unis to adopt IHRA". Jewish News. 29 January 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  7. "Fairness for All" (PDF). Government of the United Kingdom. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 March 2007.
  8. See, for instance, Michael Rubenstein Equality, the private sector and the Discrimination Law Review: A preliminary report Archived 26 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine at
  9. See s.7(1)(b) HRA 1998; usually you can only bring a Human Rights claim if you are actually the person whose rights are violated. You cannot do it on someone else's behalf.
  10. s. 73 of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975
  11. "Care and Support". equalityhumanrights.com. Archived from the original on 2 September 2010.
  12. "Product reviews, parenting tips and advice for parents". mumsnet.com.
  13. "The Commissioners". EHRC. Archived from the original on 29 July 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  14. ^ "Minister for Women and Equalities selects new chair for Equality and Human Rights Commission". Gov.uk. 15 October 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  15. ^ "Four new commissioners appointed to board of Equality and Human Rights Commission". Scottish Legal News. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  16. Walker, Peter (13 November 2024). "UK equality watchdog chair at centre of staff complaints to be given new term". theguardian.com. Guardian. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  17. ^ "Our governance manual | Equality and Human Rights Commission". www.equalityhumanrights.com. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  18. "Appointment of the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission". UK Parliament. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  19. "Our Commissioners | EHRC". www.equalityhumanrights.com. 31 July 2024. Archived from the original on 17 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  20. "Contact us". www.equalityhumanrights.com. Equality and Human Rights Commission. 31 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  21. "Chart of the status of National Institutions" (PDF). United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. 28 December 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 January 2023. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  22. "Threat to the Equality and Human Rights Commission's NHRI 'A' Status". PSI. 2 February 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  23. "OHCHR | The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI)". OHCHR. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  24. "Summary of stakeholders' submissions on the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" (PDF). UN Human Rights Council. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  25. Dickson, Dickson (5 December 2022). "Prof Brice Dickson: The UK's Engagement With International Human Rights Monitoring Mechanisms". UK Human Rights Blog. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  26. Abreu, Laura (10 November 2022). "The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: UK implementation" (PDF). UK Parliament. House of Commons Library. p. 9. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  27. Dodd, Vikram (4 September 2006). "Ministers pick Phillips to lead new human rights and equalities body", The Guardian. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  28. Jones, Sam; Hirsch, Afua (21 July 2009). "Rebels turn on Trevor Phillips' leadership of rights body". The Guardian.
  29. Jones, Sam; Sturcke, James (25 July 2009). "New resignation hits Equality and Human Rights Commission". The Guardian.
  30. Bowcott, Owen (21 October 2009). "Equalities chair Trevor Phillips 'intimidated' us, say commissioners". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  31. Gentleman, Amelia (21 March 2009). "Equality commission chief quits". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  32. London First (19 August 2015). "Dame Nicola Brewer, equalities and university champion, to join London First board". FE News. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  33. "Civil servants' pay revealed". Financial Times. 1 June 2010. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  34. "Commission Chair Trevor Phillips cleared of contempt allegations". Archived from the original on 4 July 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
  35. Lester, Anthony (2016). Five Ideas to Fight For: How Our Freedom Is Under Threat and Why It Matters. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-78074-762-0.
  36. "Phillips 'not guilty of contempt'". BBC News. 7 July 2010.
  37. Casciani, Dominic (4 September 2006). "So who's right over segregation?". BBC News.
  38. "Race and Faith: The Deafening Silence". Civitas: Institute for the Study of Civil Society. 10 May 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  39. Siddique, Haroon (30 November 2020). "Politicising the EHRC? Five controversial appointments". The Guardian.
  40. ^ "Equal opportunity knocks". The Jewish Chronicle. 12 May 2016. Archived from the original on 28 May 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  41. ^ Syal, Rajeev (5 March 2017). "Equalities body accused of targeting BAME staff for redundancies". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  42. Ng, Kate (9 August 2020). "'Toxic' debate around transgender rights harms the UK, says human rights expert". The Independent. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  43. Kotecha, Sima (28 July 2020). "Government 'failing to prioritise tackling racism', says watchdog boss". BBC News. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  44. "Minister for Women and Equalities selects new chair for Equality and Human Rights Commission". GOV.UK. December 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  45. Webber, Ashleigh (1 December 2020). "Baroness Falkner named new EHRC chair". Personnel Today. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  46. Hirsch, Afua; Taylor, Matthew (23 June 2009). "Race watchdog threatens BNP with injunction". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  47. ^ Hirsch, Afua; Taylor, Matthew (23 June 2009). "BNP faces legal threat over membership policies". The Guardian.
  48. ^ "Commission issues county court proceedings against the BNP". Archived from the original on 25 August 2009. Retrieved 24 August 2009.
  49. "Legal action over BNP membership". BBC News. 24 August 2009.
  50. "Metropolitan Police Service". EHRC. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  51. Butler, Patrick (28 November 2018). "Spending cuts breach UK's human rights obligations, says report". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  52. Casalicchio, Emilio (26 September 2017). "Human Rights Commission chief: Labour must prove it is not racist party after anti-Semitism row". Politics Home. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  53. Lerman, Antony (21 March 2019). "The Labour Party, 'institutional antisemitism' and irresponsible politics". openDemocracy. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  54. Miller, Phil (16 July 2019). "Exclusive: Fears over conflicts of interest at top of watchdog probing Labour anti-semitism". Morning Star. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  55. "Equality watchdog launches Labour anti-Semitism probe". BBC News. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  56. Honeycombe-Foster, Matt (28 May 2019). "Equalities watchdog launches formal investigation into Labour over anti-semitism allegations". Politics Home. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  57. "EHRC launches formal investigation into Labour antisemitism". Jewish Chronicle. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  58. "Adam Wagner". The Guardian. 7 March 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  59. "Panel of counsel". Jewish Chronicle. Archived from the original on 13 July 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  60. "Watchdog investigating Labour antisemitism is breaking its own rules, says Jewish group". Middle East Eye. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  61. Harpin, Lee (28 November 2019). "Labour accused of election 'dirty tricks' against equalities watchdog investigating its antisemitism". The Jewish Chronicle.
  62. Mason, Rowena; Matthew Weaver; Frances Perraudin (6 December 2019). "Seventy Labour staffers give statements to antisemitism inquiry". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  63. Allegretti, Aubrey; Culbertson, Alix (5 December 2019). "Labour a 'welcoming refuge' for antisemitism under Corbyn, says Jewish group's dossier". Sky News. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  64. "Labour sees draft findings of anti-Semitism report". BBC News. 14 July 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  65. "Labour suspends Jeremy Corbyn over reaction to anti-Semitism report". BBC News. 29 October 2020.
  66. Sabbagh, Dan (29 October 2020). "Key findings of the EHRC inquiry into Labour antisemitism". The Guardian.
  67. "Labour suspends Jeremy Corbyn over reaction to anti-Semitism report". BBC News. 29 October 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  68. McDonald, Karl (17 November 2020). "Jeremy Corbyn makes pitch for Labour return with statement saying anti-Semitism concerns are not 'overstated'". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  69. Allegretti, Aubrey (17 November 2020). "Jeremy Corbyn to have Labour suspension lifted over antisemitism investigation response". Sky News. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  70. Rodgers, Sienna (17 December 2020). "Labour publishes antisemitism action plan after gaining EHRC approval". LabourList. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  71. Gentleman, Amelia (12 June 2020). "Equalities watchdog to investigate hostile environment policy". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  72. "Human rights watchdog launches fresh review of the Windrush scandal". Shropshire Star. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  73. "Assessment of hostile environment policies | Equality and Human Rights Commission". Equality and Human Rights Commission. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  74. Proctor, Kate (12 May 2020). "Equalities watchdog drops plan for Tory Islamophobia inquiry". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  75. Tolhurst, Alain (12 May 2020). "Equalities watchdog drops probe into Tory Islamophobia after party sets out plans for independent investigation". Politics Home. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  76. "Submissions on behalf of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights" (PDF). 27 April 2021.
  77. "EHRC Open Letter". Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  78. "Human rights body leaves Stonewall diversity scheme". BBC News. 23 May 2021.
  79. Griffiths, Sian (17 October 2021). "200 academics tell of death threats and abuse as battle rages for free speech". The Times. Retrieved 17 October 2021. Academics from top universities tell of how they have faced death threats, masked protesters and petitions calling for their research to be shut down. They have been stopped from talking at events — "no-platforming" — and been trolled viciously on social media. In some cases they have needed security in lectures. The backlash has been caused by a debate on transgender rights.
  80. Michael Biggs, University of Oxford; Emma Hilton, University of Manchester; Professor Sir Partha Dasgupta, University of Cambridge; Professor Sir Michael Pepper, University College London; Professor Arif Ahmed, Cambridge; Professor Donald Nicolson, University of Essex; Professor Sophie Scott, UCL; Professor Simon Blackburn, Cambridge; Professor Mary Leng, University of York; Professor Aileen McHarg, Durham University; Professor David Curtis, UCL; Professor Jo Phoenix, the Open University; Professor Alan Sokal, UCL; Professor Judith Suissa, UCL Institute of Education; Professor Alice Sullivan, UCL; Professor Robert Wintemute, King's College London; Professor David Wootton, York; Professor Selina Todd, Oxford; Professor John Tasioulas, Oxford (17 October 2021). "We will not bow to trans activist bullies on campus". The Times. Retrieved 17 October 2021. The employment appeal tribunal ruling in the case of Maya Forstater established that gender-critical beliefs are protected under the Equality Act, but universities have shown that they will continue to discriminate against gender-critical academics and students. We call on the EHRC to undertake a review of policies and practices in UK universities that impose a radical gender orthodoxy and discriminate against those who recognise that sex matters.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  81. Equality and Human Rights Commission (26 January 2022). "We have written to the Scottish Government today about reform of the Gender Recognition Act. Download and read our full letter here ⬇️ https://equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/letter-to-cabinet-office-our-position-gender-recognition-act-2004-reform-january-2022.docx" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 January 2022 – via Twitter.
  82. Baroness Kishwer Falkner (26 January 2022). "Letter to Cabinet Office with Our Position on Gender Recognition Act 2004 Reform, January 2022" (Press release). Equality and Human Rights Commission. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  83. Rustin, Susanna (13 October 2021). "My hope for a more open discussion of women's and trans rights is fading". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  84. Samuelson, Kate (27 July 2021). "What are gender-critical beliefs?". The Week. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  85. "Response submitted to UK Government consultation: Banning conversion therapy". Equality and Human Rights Commission. 26 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  86. Moore, Mallory; Links, Meryl; Clarke, Sarah (27 January 2022). "EHRC asserts protections for religious and trans conversion therapy, calls for pausing GRA reform". Trans Safety Network. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  87. "Stonewall response to EHRC statements on upcoming LGBTQ+ legislation" (Press release). Stonewall. 26 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  88. "Liberty has responded to today's statements from the Equality and Human Rights Commission on upcoming LGBTQ+ legislation" (Press release). Liberty. 26 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  89. UK Black Pride (27 January 2022). "We stand with our trans siblings and we join @stonewalluk in calling for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions to urgently review @EHRC and ensure that trans people's rights are effectively supported" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 January 2022 – via Twitter.
  90. "LGBT Foundation to sever all ties with the EHRC" (Press release). LGBT Foundation. 26 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  91. "Amnesty UK's response to the statements from the Equality and Human Rights Commission on upcoming LGBTI+ legislation" (Press release). Amnesty International UK. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  92. Galop (27 January 2022). "Galop's statement on the EHRC's response to the conversion therapy consultation[images]" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 January 2022 – via Twitter.
  93. "Our response to statements by the EHRC" (Press release). LGBT+ Labour. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  94. Equality Network (26 January 2022). "We have just issued the following press release: The Equality Network a national LGBTI organisation in Scotland, and its project @ScottishTrans, have responded to a letter sent today by the GB Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) (1/6)" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 January 2022 – via Twitter.
  95. "Consortium Response to EHRC Statements" (Press release). Consortium. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  96. British LGBT Awards (27 January 2022). "Our statement regarding yesterday's responses from the EHRC. We urge you to sign @stonewalluk open letter regarding this, and to always advocate for the rights of our trans+ family❣️ [image]" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 January 2022 – via Twitter.
  97. "statement: akt supports lgbtq+ young people" (Press release). akt. 28 January 2022. Archived from the original on 30 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  98. "The Rainbow Project response to EHRC statements on upcoming LGBTQ+ legislation in the United Kingdom" (Press release). Rainbow Project. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  99. Rainbow Greens (27 January 2022). "We are disappointed that - after a series of appointments from the Tory Government - @EHRC have backtracked on their previous policies to undermine the case for GRA reform and a conversion therapy ban. We do not have faith in them to uphold and protect equality and human rights" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 January 2022 – via Twitter.
  100. Trans in the City (27 January 2022). "An important message from our CEO and Directors: [image]" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 January 2022 – via Twitter.
  101. "FGEN Statement on the EHRC intervention in Scottish GRA Reform and Conversion Therapy ban" (Press release). Feminist Gender Equality Network. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  102. "Press Statement on EHRC" (Press release). Gendered Intelligence. 26 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  103. Mermaids (26 January 2022). "After years of toxic abuse stemming from the GRA "debate", we say no more… 🧵" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 January 2022 – via Twitter.
  104. Stonewall Housing (28 January 2022). "❌ "So-called conversion therapy is abuse" ❌ We stand in solidarity with many of our partners in the LGBTQ+ sector & are proud to sign @stonewalluk open letter calling for the inclusion and protection of trans rights" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 January 2022 – via Twitter.
  105. Pride Cymru (27 January 2022). "We're deeply concerned about the transphobic stance taken by @EHRC Welsh translation available if requested [image]" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 January 2022 – via Twitter.
  106. Pride Cymru (28 January 2022). "[image]" (Tweet) (in Welsh). Retrieved 30 January 2022 – via Twitter.
  107. Manchester Pride (27 January 2022). "We're extremely concerned and disappointed to see the harmful statements released by the EHRC regarding the government's proposed legislation on 'conversion therapy' in England and Wales, and the proposed reform of Scotland's Gender Recognition Act. (1/4)" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 January 2022 – via Twitter.
  108. ^ Hunte, Ben (4 February 2022). "Staff Are Quitting Britain's Equality Watchdog the EHRC Due to 'Transphobia'". Vice. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  109. ^ Hunte, Ben (10 February 2022). "Leaked EHRC Guidance Reveals Plans to Exclude Most Trans People From Bathrooms". Vice. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  110. Rhodes, Mandy (14 February 2022). "Kishwer Falkner: Is life now so brittle that to ask questions is to be deemed to be controversial?". Holyrood. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  111. Wakefield, Lily (11 February 2022). "'Every major LGBT+ charity' calls for disgraced equalities watchdog EHRC to be downgraded". PinkNews. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  112. Parry, Josh (11 February 2022). "Rights watchdog 'should lose status' over trans row". BBC News. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  113. Kelleher, Patrick (4 April 2022). "Disgraced UK equalities watchdog escapes review over anti-trans stance – for now". pinknews.co.uk. PInk News. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  114. "Equality and Human Rights Commission re-accredited as 'A status' organisation | Equality and Human Rights Commission". www.equalityhumanrights.com. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  115. ^ Elgot, Jessica (4 April 2023). "Kemi Badenoch could rewrite law to allow trans exclusion from single-sex spaces". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  116. Martin, Daniel; Swerling, Gabriella (5 April 2023). "PM to protect biological women under changes to equality law". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  117. Hansford, Amelia (4 April 2023). "UK equality act could be amended to make 'sex' mean 'biological sex'". PinkNews. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  118. Mitchell, Archie (6 April 2023). "Sunak plans on sex are 'pure transphobia', former EHRC legal boss". The Independent. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  119. Madrigal-Borloz, Victor (10 May 2023). "End of mission statement" (PDF). p. 4. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  120. ^ de Ferrer, Marthe (28 November 2023). "EHRC: Britain's human-rights watchdog at risk of UN downgrade". BBC News. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  121. Siddique, Haroon (28 November 2023). "UK equality watchdog faces review after new complaint over trans stance". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  122. Kelley, Nancy (3 May 2023). "GANHRI Letter May 2023" (PDF). Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  123. "GANHRI Sub-Committee on Accreditation Report – First Session SCA 2024" (PDF). GANHRI. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  124. Asthana, Anushka (1 April 2016). "Nicky Morgan under fire for choosing City lawyer to head equality body". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  125. Sawer, Patrick (19 March 2016). "New equalities head would be biased against Christians, claim campaigners". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020.
  126. Miller, Phil (13 September 2019). "New conflict of interest row at EHRC as second board member joins law firm taking government work". Morning Star. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
  127. Mahmood, Basit (25 June 2020). "Equalities and Human Rights Commissioner Failed to Declare Tory fundraising". Newsweek. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  128. Siddique, Haroon (18 January 2021). "EHRC undermined by pressure to support No 10 agenda, says ex-chair". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  129. Mahmood, Basit (28 July 2020). "Exclusive: Ex-Equalities Commissioners Say Calling Out Racism Cost Their Jobs". Newsweek. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  130. Siddique, Haroon (1 October 2023). "Former race lead sues EHRC for race discrimination". theguardian.com. Guardian. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  131. Pring, John (6 June 2019). "Abrahams asks watchdog to investigate DWP benefit deaths cover-up". Disability News Service. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  132. Pring, John (31 October 2019). "Equality watchdog 'considering action' on benefits discrimination". Disability News Service. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  133. Pring, John (25 June 2020). "Watchdog snubs call for probe into DWP deaths, after delay of more than a year". Disability News Service. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  134. Pring, John (2 July 2020). "EHRC failed to consult its own disabled advisers before snubbing DWP deaths probe". Disability News Service. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  135. Siddique, Haroon (23 May 2023). "Chair of UK's equality watchdog being investigated after staff complaints". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  136. Somerville, Ewan (26 May 2023). "Victorious equality chief says 'we need to say less and do more'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  137. "Equality and Human Rights Commission says it has 'paused' independent investigation into chair Baroness Falkner". Channel 4 News. 26 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  138. Siddique, Haroon (18 July 2023). "UK equality watchdog restarts inquiry into bullying claims against chair". theguardian.com. Guardian. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  139. Swinford, Steven (24 October 2023). "Human rights chief cleared after row over her trans views". The Times. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  140. Martin, Daniel (24 October 2023). "EHRC boss Baroness Falkner's job is safe after trans activists tried to 'hound her out'". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  141. "Update on the Equality and Human Rights Commission's handling of concerns regarding Baroness Falkner". 24 October 2023.

External links

Cabinet Office
Ministers
Civil Service
Ministerial departments
Non-ministerial department
Executive agencies
Non-departmental
public bodies
Other organisations
Secretariats
Category
Categories: