The MP has engaged libel legal advisors after a high-profile disagreement with Jeremy Corbyn regarding the launch of a paid membership portal for the party they were set to lead together.
Sultana claimed she has been on the receiving end of “politically motivated” attacks amid the controversy that has surrounded the introduction of the new party. Corbyn had earlier called on people not to using the “supposed membership portal”, and said consultation with lawyers was being obtained regarding its launch.
“Unfounded Allegations” and Formal Response
Late on Friday evening, the Coventry MP said there had been “baseless attacks on my character that are politically motivated”, noting that she intended to “take action against those accountable for making them. Accordingly, I have this evening instructed professional defamation lawyers.”
She stated that several “false and defamatory statements” had been circulated about her. “The platform was duly activated in line with the party’s roadmap. At no point was supporters’ data compromised or put at risk. All funds received from supporters were protected and protected in the appropriate manner.”
Claims of Gender Bias
Her comments were made after she earlier said she had been targeted by a “male-dominated environment” during the conflict over the membership system.
Earlier in the week, an email was sent to backers of the outfit, so far referred to as “Your party in its campaign material, encouraging them to officially sign up and give it funding.
However Corbyn called this as an “unofficial email” and cautioned people to avoid signing up via the link, in a statement also backed by the four other independent MPs who have established an temporary parliamentary group with Corbyn and Sultana.
Freezing Out Accusations
She fired back, Sultana said: “After being excluded by the MPs named in the recent statement and practically frozen out of the organization’s records, I took the action of launching a membership portal so that supporters could continue to connect and coordinate.”
Regardless of his caution, she urged supporters of Your party to “register immediately” as the portal was a “protected, trustworthy, authorized” means of becoming a member of the party.
The MP went on: “My primary motivation has been to protect the grassroots involvement that is critical in building this party. Regrettably, I have been exposed to what can only be described as a male-dominated culture: I have been treated poorly and fully sidelined.”
Data Protection Concerns
Subsequently, the group said it had referred the matter to the UK’s data protection watchdog over the membership invitation, stating that a “improper membership system has been unilaterally launched”.
The party stated details were acquired and payments taken and that the data controller had reported the matter with the Information Commissioner’s Office, mentioning its “responsibilities to our backers and duties under the law”.
Ongoing Tensions
The disagreement is the most recent in a succession of clashes between the two MPs over the trajectory of the group, which is still must hold an national meeting or decide on an permanent brand.
Sultana announced its introduction before Corbyn had agreed to confirm it. She also reportedly had conflicts with another independent MP, the independent MP for Blackburn, over their contrasting views on gender identity policies.
The group seemed to be gaining traction, with Sultana stating more than 750,000 supporters had registered.
