Momentum are facing the possibility of an investigation by the data protection regulator following a complaint.
The pro-Corbyn group is thought to have tens of thousands of signatures from the leadership campaign, and has signed up many more since forming two months ago. Momentum told BBC News they have take every measure to comply with data protection rules, and it is not known what the nature of the complaint is.
A spokesperson for the group said:
“The company has taken every measure to comply with data protection regulations. Momentum has not received any notice of any complaint or information about any complaint. Momentum will, of course, fully cooperate with the information commissioner with their enquiries and look forward to hearing from the commissioner.”
It comes as Momentum look to tighten up their rules for membership, amid allegations of infiltration and undue influence from far left organisations. The new rules would block members of other parties from attending decision-making meetings.
Momentum wants to continue working with groups outside of the Labour Party on campaigns, but has recognised concerns that the Socialist Party, Socialist Workers’ Party and Alliance for Workers’ Liberty have been targeting local Momentum meetings.
Earlier this week, a spokesperson for Momentum said:
“We think it is right for Momentum to be seeking to work with coalitions and campaigning groups outside the Labour party nationally and locally.
“What we will not allow, and we don’t think our supporters will accept, is for our grassroots network to be used by other groups to push their agendas which have for decades been set against the Labour party and those members who have worked hard to get us to this position.”
UPDATE: Here is the full statement from Momentum on the data issues:
Where individuals whose details were derived from the lists supplied by the Party responded electronically to an e-mail from the campaign, they did so by completing a form on the website which included a clear link to this policy. Similarly where individuals were contacted by telephone and shared their personal data with us, those data have not been retained unless the individual was asked whether they agreed to be contacted in future during and after the campaign, and expressly gave that agreement.
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