Ex-Green deputy leader files second discrimination claim against party ahead of conference

Former Green Party deputy leader Shahrar Ali has lodged a second claim against the Green Party at the Royal Courts of Justice, accusing the party of unlawful discrimination and victimisation under the Equality Act 2010. Ali, who won a landmark ruling against the Greens in February 2024, says the party has continued to discriminate against him for his gender-critical beliefs and has described the process as procedural abuse. He remains excluded from the party for a fixed two-year term following complaints in 2022.

In February 2024, a judge found the Greens unlawfully discriminated against Ali during a dispute over his gender-critical beliefs. He was awarded £9,100 in damages, and in September the party was ordered to pay him a further £90,000 in costs after the court determined that his removal as a spokesperson was procedurally unfair and amounted to direct discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. The judgment also reinforced the right of political parties to deselect spokespeople whose views conflict with party policy, provided fair procedures are followed. The Green Party acknowledged procedural shortfalls in the earlier case and apologised, but rejected broader allegations of discrimination.

Ali’s new claim, filed Friday, centers on alleged breaches of the Equality Act 2010 and argues that he continues to face discrimination and victimisation linked to his gender-critical beliefs. He points to complaints made about him in 2022 and to a July 2022 social-media post about teaching transgender identity to young children, which he says was mischaracterised by the party. In his view, he has been treated unfairly in ways that violate the 2010 act. The Green Party has said it will not comment on an individual case, but said any future readmission would require him publicly retracting posts, apologising and undertaking safeguarding training.

Ali has said the ongoing dispute has prevented him from participating in party life, including attending the upcoming annual conference and standing for leadership this year. He notes that the two-year exclusion followed complaints raised in 2022, and he argues that the restrictions amount to ongoing prejudice.

The Green Party’s spokesperson said the party does not recognise the “vague” claims and is focused on political work under its new leadership, headed by Zack Polanski. The party stressed that its finances are solid and that it would defend itself in court. Polanski has warned that transphobia will not be tolerated under his leadership in a recent interview with The Canary.

The annual conference is due to begin next Friday, with tensions over gender policy already affecting internal debates. Ali’s latest action adds another legal dimension to an event that party officials say will concentrate on issues such as cost of living and climate, while defending the party’s stand against reforms it says could resemble a US-style insurance system.

Legal experts note that last year’s ruling clarified that parties may deselect spokespeople whose views conflict with policy, but only if procedures are fair and non-discriminatory. The party has not commented on the specifics of Ali’s case but says it remains prepared to defend itself in court.