LOCAL PARTIES MEMBERS’ FEES SQUANDERED IN SHAMEFUL DISCRIMINATION CASE

On 13th September 2024, the Party was ordered to pay £90,000 towards Dr Shahrar Ali’s legal costs in addition to £9,100 in damage awarded in February. £72,000 must be paid to Dr Ali’s legal team by 10th October.

Speaking outside the court, the former deputy leader and spokesperson for policing and domestic safety urged the 60,000 members to “take charge of the destiny of this party“.

Dr Ali was due to propose a motion in support of the Cass’ Review Report at the Manchester Conference on 7th September. Members of the Regional Council suspended his membership on the eve of Conference. The motion was conveniently not deemed to be priority by the Standing Orders Committee and fell off the agenda. The Green Party has so far failed to issue an official statement about the Cass’ Report because of divisions within the Leadership Team.

Members of the Executive (GPEX) have declined to reveal the party’s legal costs.

The Green Light has been informed that in addition to the considerable amount of staff time spent preparing for the case – no less than 10 ‘bundles’ of documented evidence were presented to Judge Hellman – together with CEO Mary Clegg being in court for the 6 days Hearing, the total cost to the Party is believed to be between £350,000 and £400,000.

Under Expenditure, the Financial Statement for the year end of 2022 shows that £280,000 was set aside by the Executive for” potential legal bills”, whilst the sum of money due to be paid towards the regional and local parties’ share of their members fees was £360,226 for that year.

Facing a £80,000 cash shortfall entering election year, the monthly membership fee was increased from £3.33 to £5 in September 2023.

Concerned about the fragile state of the party’s finances as Dr Ali’s case of discrimination was known to be heard in a civil court in August 2023, local party officers were informed by the Treasurer in July that they would not be getting their share of the 2022 membership fees ( 82% of the amount ), and this, on “an on-going basis”.

No capitation payments have been handed back to local parties for the year 2022 and 2023. The Executive has in effect deliberately chosen to take the risk of potential bankrupcy and in breach of the Party’s constitution for 2 years running rather than settle a discrimination case.

Having had to raise money for local elections campaigns and in compliance with the Executive’s instruction to stand candidates in 650 constituencies for the 4th July 2024 General Election, the biggest losers in this costly and shameful court case are the thousands of hard working local party members and their elected green councillors,

On 13th September, Dr Ali warned: “You cannot be in denial about the expenses of breaking the law or risk of bankrupcy in continuing to fall foul of it “.

Sadly, further discrimination cases against the Party under the same Equality Act section 101 are being considered by a number of suspended members now united under “Greens in Exile”.

Baroness Jenny Jones showing her support to suspended “Greens in Exile” women at the Manchester 2024 Autumn conference.

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