Ash Sarkar

A 2016 clip in which Sarkar joked about the relative decline of the white British population — 'yes lads, we're winning' — recirculated as purported evidence of hostility towards white people. She explained that the joke was intended to mock demographic panic and 'great replacement' narratives.

State of the evidence

Documented

In 'Minority Rule', Sarkar criticises progressive politics focused excessively on symbols, identity and culture wars, advocating a materialist rebuilding of the left. Critics accused her of arriving belatedly at conclusions she had previously opposed or of minimising her own contribution to the culture wars.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Following an online dispute, Julie Burchill published allegations and insults about Sarkar, who pursued defamation and harassment claims. Burchill publicly apologised, acknowledged that several remarks were false or unacceptable and agreed to pay substantial damages.

State of the evidence

Settlement

Attribution

Protagonist is the victim

YouTube removed Novara Media's channel before quickly restoring it, acknowledging that its rules had been applied incorrectly. Sarkar, a prominent Novara commentator and editor, denounced the risks of opaque platform power over the media.

State of the evidence

Documented

Following publication of the EHRC report and Jeremy Corbyn's suspension, Sarkar again faced criticism for her earlier defence of the Labour leadership. She herself wrote about errors on the left, referring to misunderstanding, clumsiness and sometimes hostility in its treatment of antisemitism.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Sarkar was criticised by the Campaign Against Antisemitism for defending Ewa Jasiewicz following controversial graffiti on the Warsaw Ghetto wall. The dispute resurfaced when Jasiewicz appeared as an expert in a BBC programme about the rise of Nazism.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

During a televised exchange with Piers Morgan about protests against Donald Trump, Sarkar replied 'I'm literally a communist, you idiot' when Morgan accused her of worshipping Barack Obama. The clip went viral and prompted national debate about what she meant by communism.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

At the height of Labour's antisemitism crisis, Sarkar maintained that unreserved adoption of the IHRA definition and all its examples risked restricting legitimate criticism of Israel and policy towards Palestine. Jewish organisations and Labour officials strongly disputed this position.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated