The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s communication of a holocaust memorial day event because we are unlikely to achieve a worthwhile outcome.
The complaint
Mr X complains that the Council failed to recognise the genocide in Palestine in its communication of a holocaust memorial day event.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
We can decide whether to start or discontinue an investigation into a complaint within our jurisdiction. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 24A(6) and 34B(8), as amended) We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’. In this statement, I have used the word ‘fault’ to refer to these. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint. I refer to this as ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We may decide not to start or continue with an investigation if we believe: we cannot achieve the outcome someone wants, or, further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.
(Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered the information provided by Mr X and I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
The Council worked in partnership with the Holocaust Memorial Trust to hold a holocaust memorial day event.
Mr X complains that in the Council’s communication of the event they referred to multiple genocides but failed to recognise the ongoing genocide in Palestine. He wants the council to publicly recognise the events in Palestine as a genocide and to be more sensitive in its communications.
In its complaint response, the Council explained why the situation in Palestine was not referenced. The Council explained the UK government does not currently recognise that loss of life as a genocide and so neither does the Holocaust Memorial Trust. The Council confirmed that if the UK government and the Trust updates its position, it will follow its lead in its future commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day.
While I recognise the lack of acknowledgement of the ongoing genocide in Palestine caused Mr X distress, it is unlikely an investigation by us would be able reach a worthwhile outcome beyond the explanation Mr X has already had from the Council.
Final decision
We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s communication of an event because we are unlikely to achieve a worthwhile outcome.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman