AN inquiry into the Equality and Human Rights Commission chair has been suspended for a second time following a revolt from its board members over the handling of the probe, media reports said.
Baroness Kishwer Falkner of Margravine, who has been heading the watchdog since 2020, was being investigated by an external barrister following the allegations of bullying and harassment. But her allies believe she is targeted by the trans lobby for her defence of women’s rights.
The suspension of the investigation followed an intervention by the business secretary and equalities minister Kemi Badenoch after the commission’s board members told the government that they had been “bypassed” in some crucial decision-making over the investigation, according to a Sunday Telegraph report.
The probe had been paused in May after details of the claims of “bullying”, “harassment” and “discrimination” made by EHRC civil servants were leaked to Channel 4 News.
Badenoch is believed to have raised concerns after the broadcaster reported last week that the inquiry had resumed. Her intervention comes as a separate review of the initial leak is carried out.
Former EHRC commissioner Lord Shinkwin has called for an end to the “flimsy inquiry”, saying the Baroness is “a person of unimpeachable integrity”.
“It’s very unfair on her and the EHRC and disabled people,” he told the Sunday Telegraph.
An EHRC source told the newspaper: “This was a witch-hunt from the very beginning. They have made Kishwer into this evil figure.”
“I don’t understand why it (the complaints against the baroness) can’t be done by mediation or some sort of internal process which doesn’t get lawyers involved,” the source said.
In a statement issued to Channel 4 in May, Baroness Falkner said she would take the complaints against herself seriously as worked to “promote the principles of equality and human rights”.
"I will be cooperating fully with the investigation… and have every confidence in being exonerated," she had said at the time.
Probe into Baroness Falkner halted again
The chair of the equalities watchdog was being investigated following the allegations of bullying and harassment
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)