Unions demand Truss provides evidence of anti-semitism in civil service
Prospect and the FDA have written a joint-letter to Liz Truss after the Conservative leadership candidate and possible future Prime Minister made startling allegations of anti-semitism in the civil service.
In remarks that have been widely condemned, Liz Truss had remarked that there was “a creeping antisemitism and wokeism” across the civil service.
Prospect and the FDA have said that if she has evidence of antisemitism in the civil service then she must report it to the Cabinet Secretary immediately.
The letter begins:
Antisemitism has no place in a modern workplace or broader society. The assertion that there is a “woke civil service culture” that “strays into antisemitism” is, we believe, without foundation and offensive. We say this as unions who have campaigned, lobbied and negotiated for decades to improve diversity and inclusion in the civil service.
It continues:
If you have genuine concerns about antisemitism or any other form of discrimination in the civil service, those are issues which should be raised with the Cabinet Secretary for them to be investigated.
The UK Prime Minister is also the Minister for the Civil Service. For such unfounded and sweeping assertions to be made, by someone with aspirations for that office, is deeply damaging and undermines those working to drive forward diversity, inclusion and an open and welcoming culture in the civil service.
As a government minister for a decade, the letter pointedly asks whether Liz Truss has ever previously informed, or raised her concerns, about anti-semitism with the Cabinet Secretary?
The letter, which is signed by Mike Clancy, Prospect general secretary, and Dave Penman, the general secretary of the FDA.
It concludes:
As a potential future Prime Minister, civil servants will look to you for leadership. Unfounded allegations designed simply to generate headlines is an approach they are all too familiar with, and one they will have hoped would end with a change of Prime Minister. If you are to make such serious allegations, you have a duty to ensure they are backed up with evidence. We would therefore suggest that such evidence is made available as a matter of urgency to the Cabinet Secretary for investigation.
