Kemi Badenoch steps in as probe into equality chief Baroness Falkner is halted again – after fears that the correct processes have not been followed at the Equality and Human Rights Commission
- An investigation into EHRC watchdog head Kishwer Falkner has been halted
- Kemi Badenoch wrote to the body asking it to assess if due process was followed
A probe into the head of the equalities watchdog has been halted for a second time after a senior minister intervened.
Kishwer Falkner was first placed under investigation in February following complaints from some staff about a toxic culture.
The baroness was accused of bullying and discrimination but her allies say it was a witch-hunt because she had angered the trans lobby by defending women’s rights.
The inquiry by an external barrister was paused in May after details of the case against her were leaked to Channel 4 News.
The broadcaster revealed last week that the investigation had been restarted but in a fresh twist it has now been put on hold for a second time after a dramatic intervention by equalities minister Kemi Badenoch.
Kishwer Falkner (pictured) was first placed under investigation in February following complaints from some staff about a toxic culture
READ MORE: Whistleblowers at human rights commission say boss is facing ‘witch hunt’ from trans lobby
As the Mail revealed on Friday, Mrs Badenoch fears that the correct processes have not been followed at the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
She is understood to have written to the body urging it to pause the investigation while a separate review into the initial leak is carried out.
In addition, there is concern over a high-level revolt about the handling of the inquiry.
According to the Sunday Telegraph, some board members have written to the Government to complain they have ‘lost patience’ with being ‘bypassed in some crucial decisions’.
They said that they intended to call for Alasdair Henderson and Eryl Besse, who were handling the inquiry, to stand aside from their roles as Lady Falkner’s deputies. A spokesman for the EHRC told the Mail: ‘In investigating concerns, the EHRC follows its robust governance processes, and seeks and follows all legal advice where appropriate.
‘We cannot comment on the specifics of this investigation other than to confirm a decision has been taken to re-pause the process while related matters are reviewed.’
As the Mail revealed on Friday, Mrs Badenoch (pictured) fears that the correct processes have not been followed at the Equality and Human Rights Commission
READ MORE: Cabinet minister will not allow head of equalities watchdog to be ‘hounded’ out of her job over her stance on trans issues, sources say
The latest development was welcomed by some campaigners. Debbie Hayton, a transgender woman who speaks out against gender ideology, said: ‘Kemi Badenoch is right to intervene in this appalling treatment of the EHRC chair. The scientific enlightenment came and went, but people are exactly the same. Witch-hunts or inquiries … the language might be new but the abuse of women is not.’
Ian Acheson, a former chief operating officer of the quango, said: ‘It’s sad to see the EHRC become ungovernable, particularly for those of us who worked so hard to restore the organisation’s credibility and put its focus on delivery, defending the rights of ordinary people, ahead of destructive internal activism.’
One ally of the baroness said: ‘This was a witch-hunt from the very beginning. They have made Kishwer into this evil figure.
‘She does have complaints against her which need to be addressed but I don’t understand why it can’t be done by mediation or some sort of internal process which doesn’t get lawyers involved.’
The dossier against Lady Falkner cites allegations of transphobia and harassment.
It is feared she has been targeted because she opposed Scotland’s transgender self-ID reform, and backed rewriting equality law on the basis of biological sex rather than gender identity – which would bar transgender women from female-only spaces.
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