EHRC discord deepens after inquiry into complaints against chair paused

Staff and observers fear UK equality watchdog politicised as never before' as ministers and press allies rally behind under-fire chair

Britain's equality watchdog is reeling from a breakdown of trust between its board and staff amid concerns it has become politicised, senior insiders say.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) appointed a leading lawyer to carry out an independent investigation into 40 internal complaints, including bullying and harassment, made against its chair, Kishwer Falkner, but paused the inquiry last week after damaging leaks which laid bare tensions within the organisation.