Jeremy Corbyn refuses to help Labour MP facing ‘disgraceful bullying’ from leftie activists for criticising the party leader
He says he ‘knows what it feels like to be the target of a no confidence vote’ – but adds ‘it would be wrong’ for him to get involved after Rosie Duffield was targeted by his supporters
JEREMY Corbyn has refused to intervene as a Labour MP faces what has been described as “disgraceful bullying” from leftie activists for criticising the party’s leader.
He has told a meeting of his Parliamentary party tonight that he “knows what it feels like to be the target of a no confidence vote”.
But Mr Corbyn says “it would be wrong” for him to get involved after Rosie Duffield was targeted by his supporters with a “motion of censure”.
The Canterbury MP is under fire for attending a Parliament Square demonstration that “groundlessly” accused the party of systemic anti-Semitism.
It also attacked her for comments as revealed by The Sun, in which she claimed she and other colleagues had discussed going on strike in protest unless Mr Corbyn backed down in the row.
She is just the latest MP to face such a vote by her local party, after a number have had motions of “no confidence” passed in retaliation for their criticism of the anti-Semitism crisis.
The issues was raised at tonight’s meeting in the House of Commons, but the Labour leader said he did not want to get involved in internal democracy issues.
He was set to tell the PLP: “The Labour Party has always been a broad church and I’m determined it remains so.
“We will always have some differences of opinion and we must protect the right of criticism and debate - but our first and overwhelming priority is to deliver for the people we represent and remove this Conservative government from office.
“We must focus on that priority and turn our fire outwards.”
However, he added: “I know what it feels like to be the target of a no confidence vote, but it would be wrong for me to intervene in the democratic rights of any part of the Labour Party.”
Following the parliamentary summit furious senior female Labour MPs Joan Ryan and Siobhan McDonagh rounded on him saying he should support Ms Duffield as a “human being” and not a politician.
Ms McDonagh blasted: “Rosie is a young woman facing a disciplinary meeting. It's incumbent on us to make sure the meeting is conducted in a proper and respectful way.
“The idea the leader is not responsible for that is completely wrong."
There has been widespread support from her colleagues for Ms Duffield, a single mother who was the first person to ever win the seat for Labour at last year’s election.
Anna McMorrin said: “This bullying is a disgrace. Rosie Duffield is an amazing MP after last year becoming the first ever Labour MP for Canterbury.
“A brilliant campaigner who stands up for all her constituents and fights hard for fairness, social justice and equality.”
Wes Streeting called it an “unnecessary and unhelpful stunt”, while Ben Bradshaw called it “madness” and Anna Turley "disgusting".
And Stephen Doughty wrote: “Simply cannot understand this - Rosie Duffield is incredibly hard working, won a seat we never expected and is standing up against Tory Brexit - she should be getting commendation not condemnation.”
Paul Williams said: “It’s her *job* to take a stand against injustice and she should be applauded and supported.”
And Alex Sobel tweeted: “So Rosie Duffield is anti-austerity, feminist who stood proudly on 2017 manifesto and won the most unlikely of seats.
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“Took some brave decisions on Europe in line with her very Remain constituency and stood with Labour’s oldest Socialist Society. Should be a motion of commendation.”
Ms Duffield tweeted this evening to say: “Overwhelmed by the support I've received today. Thank you so much to all who've been in touch or tweeted.
“Luckily, this tiny group of members do not represent my wonderful CLP as a whole and they weren't able to ruin my last day spent with my eldest son before he leaves for Uni.”
