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'''Kishwer Falkner, Baroness Falkner of Margravine''' ({{née |
'''Kishwer Falkner, Baroness Falkner of Margravine''' (''{{née}}'' '''Khan'''; born 9 March 1955) is a British politician and ] who is a non-aligned member of the ]. She was the Chairman of the EU Financial Affairs Sub-Committee in the House of Lords from 2015 to 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=Baroness Falkner|url=https://members.parliament.uk/member/3670/contact|accessdate=7 January 2020}}</ref> | ||
Prior to her ennoblement as a life peer |
Prior to her ] as a ] on 2 June 2004,<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=57309 |date=7 June 2004 |page=7059}}</ref> Falkner worked for the Liberal Democrats in the ] and party headquarters including as Director of International Affairs and Director of Policy. She also worked at the ] and as Chief Executive of Student Partnerships Worldwide. In February 2008 she was appointed as the inaugural ] of The ]. | ||
She is currently a member of the ]'s Enforcement Decision Making Committee.<ref>{{cite web|title=Appointment of members of the Enforcement Decision Making Committee: Baroness Kishwer Falkner|url=https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/news/2018/august/appointment-of-members-of-the-enforcement-decision-making-committee |work=Bank of England|accessdate=7 January 2020}}</ref> She is also a |
She is currently a member of the ]'s Enforcement Decision Making Committee.<ref>{{cite web|title=Appointment of members of the Enforcement Decision Making Committee: Baroness Kishwer Falkner|url=https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/news/2018/august/appointment-of-members-of-the-enforcement-decision-making-committee |work=Bank of England|accessdate=7 January 2020}}</ref> She is also a visiting professor at The Policy Institute at ] and an honorary associate of the National Secular Society.<ref>{{cite web|title=National Secular Society Honorary Associates|url=https://secularism.org.uk/honorary-associates.html|website=National Secular Society|accessdate=26 August 2019}}</ref> | ||
In December 2020, she became chair of the ] (EHRC).<ref name="SLN">{{cite news |title=Four new commissioners appointed to board of Equality and Human Rights Commission |url=https://scottishlegal.com/article/four-new-commissioners-appointed-to-board-of-equality-and-human-rights-commission |accessdate=22 November 2020 |work=Scottish Legal News |date=13 November 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="gov.uk">{{cite web|accessdate=2020-12-19|title=New Equality and Human Rights Commissioners appointed|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-equality-and-human-rights-commissioners-appointed|website=GOV.UK|date=11 November 2020}}</ref> Her appointment led to criticism both from her predecessor and staff members who said EHRC had become politicised and ] during her tenure.<ref name=pn /><ref name=vice /><ref name=ier /> |
In December 2020, she became chair of the ] (EHRC).<ref name="SLN">{{cite news |title=Four new commissioners appointed to board of Equality and Human Rights Commission |url=https://scottishlegal.com/article/four-new-commissioners-appointed-to-board-of-equality-and-human-rights-commission |accessdate=22 November 2020 |work=Scottish Legal News |date=13 November 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="gov.uk">{{cite web|accessdate=2020-12-19|title=New Equality and Human Rights Commissioners appointed|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-equality-and-human-rights-commissioners-appointed|website=GOV.UK|date=11 November 2020}}</ref> Her appointment led to criticism both from her predecessor and staff members who said EHRC had become politicised and ] during her tenure.<ref name=pn /><ref name=vice /><ref name=ier /> Other people have said that she is reversing the "politicising" of her predecessor.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Turner |first=Janice |date=2023-07-07 |title=Foul tactics won't move determined Falkner |newspaper=] |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/foul-tactics-wont-move-determined-falkner-l8dkjgp0h |access-date=2023-07-07 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref> | ||
== Life == | == Life == | ||
Kishwer Falkner was born in ] |
Kishwer Falkner was born in ] to a Muslim family who had left India at partition. After living and working in the Middle East, Italy, France and Germany, she moved to the UK in the late 1970s. Falkner was educated at convent schools in Pakistan, the ] where she obtained a BSc (Econ) in International Relations and the ] where she obtained an MA in International Relations and European Studies.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}} | ||
== Political career == | == Political career == | ||
She joined the ] in the mid-1980s and worked for the party in several posts till 1999. Falkner contested ] in the ] and was on the Liberal Democrats list for ] in the ]. | She joined the ] in the mid-1980s and worked for the party in several posts till 1999. Falkner contested ] in the ] and was on the Liberal Democrats list for ] in the ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/vote2001/results_constituencies/constituencies/345.stm |publisher=BBC News |title=Results & Constituencies - General Election 2001 |date=June 2011 |accessdate=21 July 2023}}</ref> | ||
Falkner was the Liberal Democrats’ Director of International and European Affairs for several years, co-authoring much of the Party's policy on the ], and coordinating a joint response for European Liberals on issues related to Europe's structures and place in the world. Falkner also worked for the ], where she continued to work on the broader issues of globalisation, democracy and development. In 2003–04, Falkner was chief executive of a charity working with young people in some of the poorest parts of Africa and Asia.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}} | |||
== EHRC head == | == EHRC head == | ||
On 1 December 2020, she became chair of the ] (EHRC).<ref name="SLN"/><ref name="gov.uk"/> In November 2024, ], the equalities minister, announced that Falkner’s four-year term would be extended for a further 12 months, with a new chair being sought to take office after Falkner's extended term ends.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Walker |first1=Peter |title=UK equality watchdog chair at centre of staff complaints to be given new term|date=13 November 2024 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/nov/13/equality-human-rights-commission-chair-kishwer-falkner-staff-complaints-new-term |website=theguardian.com |publisher=Guardian |access-date=17 November 2024}}</ref> | |||
On 1 December 2020, she became chair of the ] (EHRC).<ref name="SLN"/><ref name="gov.uk"/> | |||
===Transphobia controversy=== | ===Transphobia controversy=== | ||
Falkner and the EHRC under her leadership have come under criticism from trans and other LGBTIQ+ organisations following comments she made in May 2021 to '']'', in which she said that women had the right to question ] identity without fear of abuse, stigmatisation or loss of employment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-57219989|title=Human rights body leaves Stonewall diversity scheme|date=23 May 2021| |
Falkner and the EHRC under her leadership have come under criticism from trans and other LGBTIQ+ organisations following comments she made in May 2021 to '']'', in which she said that women had the right to question ] identity without fear of abuse, stigmatisation or loss of employment.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-57219989 |title=Human rights body leaves Stonewall diversity scheme |date=23 May 2021 |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=21 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.consortium.lgbt/ehrc-open-letter/|title=EHRC Open Letter|access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref> Her predecessor as EHRC chair, ], said the commission was ] by the Conservative Party during her tenure.<ref name=ier>{{cite web |title=The EHRC is becoming a political instrument, former Chair says |url=https://www.ier.org.uk/news/the-ehrc-is-becoming-a-political-instrument-former-chair-says/ |date=22 January 2021 |publisher=Institute of Employment Rights |access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=EHRC undermined by pressure to support No 10 agenda, says ex-chair |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jan/18/ehrc-undermined-pressure-support-no-10-agenda-david-isaac |access-date=16 October 2021 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Several former and current staff members of EHRC described the public body as "transphobic," "anti-LGBT+" and an "enemy of human rights" during Falkner's tenure, and media reported that several staff members had resigned in protest of EHRC's "descent into transphobia."<ref name=vice>{{cite news |title=Staff Are Quitting Britain's Equality Watchdog the EHRC Due to 'Transphobia' |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/bvnymd/ehrc-staff-quitting-transphobia |access-date=18 September 2022 |work=Vice}}</ref><ref name=pn>{{cite news |title=Staff quit UK's so-called equalities watchdog en masse over descent into 'transphobia' |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/02/04/ehrc-baroness-falkner-staff-quit-transphobia/ |access-date=18 September 2022 |work=]}}</ref> EHRC was also criticised for holding private meetings with groups that said critics characterize as "anti-trans", such as gay activist group ] and the feminist organization ].<ref>{{cite news |title=UK's so-called equalities watchdog 'held private meetings with anti-trans groups' |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/02/02/ehrc-equalities-watchdog-trans-lgb-alliance-fair-play-women/ |access-date=18 September 2022 |work=]}}</ref> ] MP ], deputy 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 ] and his appointees."<ref name="vice"/> However others defended Falkner including ] in The Times who said: "Falkner is accused of politicising the EHRC, yet in fact she is merely depoliticising her predecessor’s regime. Her first act was to withdraw the EHRC from the Stonewall Champions scheme, which had meant that under her predecessor David Isaac (ex-chairman of Stonewall) a government body whose core mission is to balance all human rights was following rules set by one lobby group alone."<ref name=TT>{{cite news |title=Staff quit UK's so-called equalities watchdog en masse over descent into 'transphobia' |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/foul-tactics-wont-move-determined-falkner-l8dkjgp0h/ |access-date=27 May 2023 |work=]}}</ref> | ||
===Investigation=== | ===Investigation=== | ||
In May 2023, a lawyer was appointed to investigate complaints against Falkner. The complaints were made by current and former staff at the EHRC. The nature of the complaints has not been disclosed.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Siddique |first1=Haroon |title=23 May 2023 Chair of UK's equality watchdog being investigated after staff complaints |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/may/23/chair-of-uks-equality-watchdog-being-investigated-after-staff-complaints |website=theguardian.com |publisher=Guardian |access-date=24 May 2023}}</ref> In May 2023 the investigation was suspended "following a backlash from 54 peers and outcry across the political spectrum".<ref name=dt>{{cite news |title=Victorious equality chief says 'we need to say less and do more' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/05/26/ehrc-suspends-investigation-baroness-falkner/ |last=Somerville |first=Ewan |access-date=26 May 2023 |work=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Equality and Human Rights Commission says it has 'paused' independent investigation into chair Baroness Falkner |url=https://www.channel4.com/news/equality-and-human-rights-commission-says-it-has-paused-independent-investigation-into-chair-baroness-falkner |date=26 May 2023|website=channel4.com |publisher=Channel 4 |access-date=28 May 2023}}</ref> The investigation restarted in July 2023<ref>{{cite web |last1=Siddique |first1=Haroon |title=UK equality watchdog restarts inquiry into bullying claims against chair|date=18 July 2023 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jul/18/uk-equality-watchdog-ehrc-restarts-inquiry-into-bullying-claims-against-chair |website=theguardian.com |publisher=Guardian |access-date=19 July 2023}}</ref> but was closed in October 2023, following an independent review of the Commission's handling of complaints, initiated by the ], with Falkner remaining in her position as Chair.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Swinford |first1=Steven |title=Human rights chief cleared after row over her trans views |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/human-rights-chief-cleared-after-trans-rights-row-tjs2f8vrs |access-date=24 October 2023 |work=] |date=24 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Martin |first=Daniel |title=EHRC boss Baroness Falkner's job is safe after trans activists tried to 'hound her out' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/10/24/ehrc-head-baroness-falkners-job-is-safe-after-trans-activis/ |work=] |date=24 October 2023 |access-date=25 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024202936/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/10/24/ehrc-head-baroness-falkners-job-is-safe-after-trans-activis/ |archive-date=24 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Update on the Equality and Human Rights Commission's handling of concerns regarding Baroness Falkner |url=https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/our-work/news/update-equality-and-human-rights-commission%E2%80%99s-handling-concerns-regarding-baroness |date=24 October 2023}}</ref> | |||
In May 2023, a lawyer was appointed to investigate complaints against Kishwer Falkner. The complaints were made by current or former staff at EHRC. The nature of the complaints has not been disclosed.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Siddique |first1=Haroon |title=23 May 2023 Chair of UK’s equality watchdog being investigated after staff complaints |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/may/23/chair-of-uks-equality-watchdog-being-investigated-after-staff-complaints |website=theguardian.com |publisher=Guardian |access-date=24 May 2023}}</ref> | |||
== Electoral history == | == Electoral history == | ||
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Latest revision as of 18:00, 20 November 2024
British Baroness (born 1955)
The Right HonourableThe Baroness Falkner of Margravine | |
---|---|
Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office 1 December 2020 | |
Preceded by | David Isaac |
Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office 15 June 2004 Life Peerage | |
Personal details | |
Born | Kishwer Khan (1955-03-09) 9 March 1955 (age 69) Pakistan |
Nationality | British |
Political party | Non-affiliated |
Other political affiliations | Liberal Democrats |
Spouse |
Robert Falkner (m. 1996) |
Children | 1 |
Alma mater | London School of Economics University of Kent |
Kishwer Falkner, Baroness Falkner of Margravine (née Khan; born 9 March 1955) is a British politician and life peer who is a non-aligned member of the House of Lords. She was the Chairman of the EU Financial Affairs Sub-Committee in the House of Lords from 2015 to 2019.
Prior to her ennoblement as a life peer on 2 June 2004, Falkner worked for the Liberal Democrats in the House of Commons and party headquarters including as Director of International Affairs and Director of Policy. She also worked at the Commonwealth Secretariat and as Chief Executive of Student Partnerships Worldwide. In February 2008 she was appointed as the inaugural chancellor of The University of Northampton.
She is currently a member of the Bank of England's Enforcement Decision Making Committee. She is also a visiting professor at The Policy Institute at King's College London and an honorary associate of the National Secular Society.
In December 2020, she became chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). Her appointment led to criticism both from her predecessor and staff members who said EHRC had become politicised and transphobic during her tenure. Other people have said that she is reversing the "politicising" of her predecessor.
Life
Kishwer Falkner was born in Pakistan to a Muslim family who had left India at partition. After living and working in the Middle East, Italy, France and Germany, she moved to the UK in the late 1970s. Falkner was educated at convent schools in Pakistan, the London School of Economics where she obtained a BSc (Econ) in International Relations and the University of Kent where she obtained an MA in International Relations and European Studies.
Political career
She joined the Liberal Democrats in the mid-1980s and worked for the party in several posts till 1999. Falkner contested Kensington and Chelsea in the 2001 General Election and was on the Liberal Democrats list for London in the 2004 European elections.
Falkner was the Liberal Democrats’ Director of International and European Affairs for several years, co-authoring much of the Party's policy on the European Union, and coordinating a joint response for European Liberals on issues related to Europe's structures and place in the world. Falkner also worked for the Commonwealth Secretariat, where she continued to work on the broader issues of globalisation, democracy and development. In 2003–04, Falkner was chief executive of a charity working with young people in some of the poorest parts of Africa and Asia.
EHRC head
On 1 December 2020, she became chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). In November 2024, Bridget Phillipson, the equalities minister, announced that Falkner’s four-year term would be extended for a further 12 months, with a new chair being sought to take office after Falkner's extended term ends.
Transphobia controversy
Falkner and the EHRC under her leadership have come under criticism from trans and other LGBTIQ+ organisations following comments she made in May 2021 to The Times, in which she said that women had the right to question transgender identity without fear of abuse, stigmatisation or loss of employment. Her predecessor as EHRC chair, David Isaac, said the commission was politicised by the Conservative Party during her tenure. Several former and current staff members of EHRC described the public body as "transphobic," "anti-LGBT+" and an "enemy of human rights" during Falkner's tenure, and media reported that several staff members had resigned in protest of EHRC's "descent into transphobia." EHRC was also criticised for holding private meetings with groups that said critics characterize as "anti-trans", such as gay activist group LGB Alliance and the feminist organization Fair Play For Women. Scottish National Party MP John Nicolson, deputy 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." However others defended Falkner including Janice Turner in The Times who said: "Falkner is accused of politicising the EHRC, yet in fact she is merely depoliticising her predecessor’s regime. Her first act was to withdraw the EHRC from the Stonewall Champions scheme, which had meant that under her predecessor David Isaac (ex-chairman of Stonewall) a government body whose core mission is to balance all human rights was following rules set by one lobby group alone."
Investigation
In May 2023, a lawyer was appointed to investigate complaints against Falkner. The complaints were made by current and former staff at the EHRC. The nature of the complaints has not been disclosed. In May 2023 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.
Electoral history
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Michael Portillo | 15,270 | 54.5 | +0.9 | |
Labour | Simon Stanley | 6,499 | 23.2 | –4.7 | |
Liberal Democrats | Kishwer Falkner | 4,416 | 15.8 | +0.5 | |
Green | Julia Stephenson | 1,158 | 4.1 | N/A | |
UKIP | Damian Hockney | 416 | 1.5 | N/A | |
ProLife Alliance | Josephine Quintavalle | 179 | 0.6 | New | |
Majority | 8,771 | 31.3 | +5.6 | ||
Turnout | 28,038 | 43.3 | –11.4 | ||
Conservative hold | Swing | +2.8 |
Explanatory notes
- As a member of the House of Lords
References
- "Baroness Falkner". Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- "No. 57309". The London Gazette. 7 June 2004. p. 7059.
- "Appointment of members of the Enforcement Decision Making Committee: Baroness Kishwer Falkner". Bank of England. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- "National Secular Society Honorary Associates". National Secular Society. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
- ^ "Four new commissioners appointed to board of Equality and Human Rights Commission". Scottish Legal News. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
- ^ "New Equality and Human Rights Commissioners appointed". GOV.UK. 11 November 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
- ^ "Staff quit UK's so-called equalities watchdog en masse over descent into 'transphobia'". PinkNews. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
- ^ "Staff Are Quitting Britain's Equality Watchdog the EHRC Due to 'Transphobia'". Vice. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
- ^ "The EHRC is becoming a political instrument, former Chair says". Institute of Employment Rights. 22 January 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- Turner, Janice (7 July 2023). "Foul tactics won't move determined Falkner". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
- "Results & Constituencies - General Election 2001". BBC News. June 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
- 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.
- "Human rights body leaves Stonewall diversity scheme". BBC News. 23 May 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
- "EHRC Open Letter". Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- "EHRC undermined by pressure to support No 10 agenda, says ex-chair". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- "UK's so-called equalities watchdog 'held private meetings with anti-trans groups'". PinkNews. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
- "Staff quit UK's so-called equalities watchdog en masse over descent into 'transphobia'". The Times. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- Siddique, Haroon. "23 May 2023 Chair of UK's equality watchdog being investigated after staff complaints". theguardian.com. Guardian. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
- Somerville, Ewan. "Victorious equality chief says 'we need to say less and do more'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
- "Equality and Human Rights Commission says it has 'paused' independent investigation into chair Baroness Falkner". channel4.com. Channel 4. 26 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- Siddique, Haroon (18 July 2023). "UK equality watchdog restarts inquiry into bullying claims against chair". theguardian.com. Guardian. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- Swinford, Steven (24 October 2023). "Human rights chief cleared after row over her trans views". The Times. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
- 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.
- "Update on the Equality and Human Rights Commission's handling of concerns regarding Baroness Falkner". 24 October 2023.
- "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
- Life peeresses created by Elizabeth II
- Life peers created by Elizabeth II
- Liberal Democrats (UK) life peers
- Alumni of the London School of Economics
- Alumni of the University of Kent
- 1955 births
- Living people
- Pakistani emigrants to the United Kingdom
- Liberal Democrats (UK) parliamentary candidates
- Muhajir people