The rift in the UK's socialist movement has turned legal. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has advised that the unauthorized launch of a membership portal for "Your Party" by MP Zarah Sultana could constitute "serious criminal activity" and should be investigated by the police.

The controversy stems from an email sent to 800,000 supporters last September, urging them to join the new party for £55. The data controller, Jeremy Corbyn’s Peace and Justice Project (PJP), claims the use of the mailing list was unauthorized, sparking a civil war between the former Labour leader and his protégé.

"Serious Criminal Activity"

The ICO’s guidance suggests that hijacking a mailing list for unauthorized purposes violates the Data Protection Act. "This is not just a breach; it is potentially theft of data," a legal expert commented.

• Sultana’s Defense: On X (formerly Twitter), Sultana claimed the ICO had "dropped the case," framing it as a politically motivated attack by the Labour right. She insists she is focused on building a "mass movement for socialism."
• The Split: The incident reveals the toxicity within the new left-wing faction. Once allies, Corbyn and Sultana are now locked in a power struggle for the soul of the 60,000-strong movement.
• Police Involvement: While the ICO has stepped back to allow for a potential police probe, sources suggest law enforcement may view this as a civil dispute. However, the reputational damage to the nascent party is already done.