The internal investigation into Lady Faulkner was finally closed in October. Photo: Jamie Lorriman
Equalities watchdog staff refuse to accept new decision The review said the «direction of travel» followed a review by a colleague who insisted on protecting biological sex.
The report commissioned commissioned by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) last year, it was found that «there was clearly no common understanding or acceptance… at all levels of the organisation» of changes to the organization's approach under Baroness Faulkner.
The review, which warned of the «significant» risks of «failing to ensure that the whole organization is committed to a shared vision», was published months before an alleged coup d'état by civil servants to oust Lady Faulkner, who has led the EHRC since 2020.< Kemi Badenoch, the equalities minister, intervened in the long-running inquiry into Lady Faulkner, prompted by concerns among Tory MPs that officials were trying to force out her colleague over her efforts to balance the quango's approach to trans issues by giving more attention to trans issues. women's rights.
The internal investigation into Lady Faulkner was finally dropped in October, when Ms Badenoch also made it clear that she believed “good public servants” should not be “pursued” from office.
>Last This week, The Telegraph reported that the EHRC was facing a “special review” of its international accreditation, which gives it access to the UN Human Rights Commission and other UN bodies, following a campaign by trans lobby groups led by Stonewall.
Before Lady Faulkner's appointment in 2020, Stonewall had close ties to the ECHR. When her predecessor David Isaac left his position, Stonewall wrote him a letter thanking him for his «ongoing support of Stonewall and the work we do.»
A review of the effectiveness of the EHRC board last year warned that the EHRC had previously been seen as a «protector of activist groups», a position Lady Faulkner and the commissioners are understood to have succeeded in changing.
However, the report contains a warning on the opposition of some ECHR staff to Lady Faulkner's changes.
The report contrasts the approach taken by the ECHR during the tenure of Lady Faulkner and a number of new commissioners with the watchdog approach in the years leading up to her appointment.
“There was a strong view among many commissioners that in the past the board had not provided meaningful input into strategy and policy development but had been led by the nose by the executive,” it said. “Some panel members provided examples of how controversial policy positions (such as the Gender Recognition Act) were pursued by staff without appropriate consultation or recourse to the board.”
The “board effectiveness review” carried out by the specialist firm and submitted to the EHRC on 1 July 2022 said: “Whilst the board and senior management understand and support the revised purpose of the commission as an independent regulator, there is clearly no common understanding or acceptance of this position among employees at all levels of the organization. Most commissioners and senior management acknowledge that the problem is decreasing (in part due to staff turnover), but the associated risks of the entire organization not being on board with a shared vision remain significant.”
< p>The report added: “When promoting a new strategic plan internally, the board and CEO must clearly communicate the commission's vision, purpose and strategic objectives to employees throughout the organization. If, after this, some staff are still unable to accept the commission's new direction, perhaps because they originally joined the organization to champion a particular cause, this will need to be addressed by the executive director.' Strong and focused»
The report said the review «supports the view that the board now provides strong and focused strategic leadership and direction for the organization… The chairman and board have been instrumental in bringing about a radical change, repositioning the commission as a rigorous and objective regulator of equality and human rights, in contrast to her perceived historical position as a defender of activist groups.»
Significant steps led by Lady Faulkner included intervening in 2021 in a lawsuit by Maya Forstater, who claimed she was discriminated against at work because of her belief that trans women are not women.
The ECHR insisted that her beliefs were protected by the Equality Act. In April this year, Lady Faulkner wrote to Ms Badenoch recommending that the Government consider explicitly protecting «biological sex» rather than just «sex» in the Equality Act 2010 to «bring legal clarity».
< p>An EHRC spokesperson said: “This review has identified many areas in which the board is performing well and has identified areas where there is room for improvement.”
“Notably, senior management's engagement with the board is also The culture of the organization is also taken into account, as this is critical to the effective implementation of the mandate and effectiveness of the ECHR.
“The ECHR is generally making good progress in implementing these recommendations. »
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