“Action must be taken immediately to address the impact of the ongoing harassment I have endured, the brutal vexatious eight-day trial in 2021, & the illegitimate trigger process in 2022 conducted whilst I was certified sick.”
Apsana Begum MP
We publish below a statement from Apsana Begum MP issued on 9 February:
“I am overwhelmingly relieved that after more than two and a half years, a Labour Party process decision has been finally taken with regard to my allegations about my ex-husband’s behaviour and conduct towards me.
Whilst I welcome this decision, I continue to have serious concerns about the way in which this process was conducted.
I thank all those who have supported me. I felt unrepresented and unsupported until I instructed Dr Charlotte Proudman who ensured my rights were fully upheld as the complainant in these specific circumstances. I hope lessons can be learnt and a new procedure rolled out as part of reassessment of the way the Party deals with domestic abuse and harassment.
As I have continued to say: all I ever wanted is a chance to live safely and freely, and have equal opportunity as a Labour Party Member and a Labour Member of Parliament.
Clearly, this has not been the case.
It has been a long struggle and there is still a long way to go.
Action must be taken immediately to address the impact of the ongoing harassment I have endured, the brutal vexatious eight-day trial in 2021, and the illegitimate trigger process in 2022 conducted whilst I was certified sick.
I believe that the Labour Party has a duty to ensure that it is an inclusive, democratic, and safe environment particularly for ethnic minority women who suffer intersectional inequalities and are underrepresented in politics.
I hope today is a step forward in actually making that a reality.”
- Apsana is the MP for Poplar and Limehouse and a regular contributor to Labour Outlook. You can follow Apsana on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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