
The ‘Singh Investigation’ has reported on its ‘independent investigation into alleged discrimination, citing protected characteristics, within the Conservative and Unionist Party in England, Wales and Northern Ireland’. This investigation was set up following high-profile allegations of discrimination, including ‘Islamophobia’, within the Conservative Party, which had also been accused of failure to address such allegations. The investigation was setup with terms of reference in May 2020, informed by discussions with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), and reported in May 2021. It was chaired by Professor Swaran Singh, who noted, of the principle findings and recommendations:
Racism and other forms of discrimination have a long-lasting and pernicious effect on individuals and communities. We were tasked with scrutinising how the Conservative Party dealt with allegations of such discrimination and whether its policies and processes to deal with complaints of discrimination were fit for purpose. Our report should make for uncomfortable reading for the Party and, more importantly, spur it into action. I hope the Party will fully accept our recommendations and implement the changes needed in a transparent and timely manner.
On 25 May, the Conservative Party announced it had accepted the recommendations set out by the report and in six weeks times would be publishing its plan to implement these recommendations.