How Jeremy ‘cosied up to Commies’
JEREMY Corbyn’s credentials as Prime Minister were again questioned last night after a report showed that he once spoke at a Communist convention to demand that Britain quit Nato and dump its nuclear deterrent.
He pledged his “unwavering commitment to unilateral disarmament” and described the billions spent on arms by this country as an “obscenity”.
The future Labour leader was photographed addressing the Communist Party of Britain’s 40th annual congress in 1989 in his north London constituency six years after he was elected as an MP.
He had appeared in front of a banner bearing the Communist Party’s hammer and sickle symbol.
As he declared his commitment to unilateral disarmament, Corbyn said: “We can make a start and set an example by removing all nuclear weapons from this country.”
He also spoke of a “pressing need” for Britain to leave Nato. He was cheered as he hailed the release of the Guildford Four, after a court quashed their convictions for the 1974 IRA bombing.
A report of his ranting speech appeared in the Communist newspaper the Morning Star. Mr Corbyn’s views on Trident, Nato and the IRA are still sparking rows during this election campaign.
He has signalled a reluctance over arrangements for renewing Trident although his manifesto commits a Labour government to do so.
Mr Corbyn has said he would not “automatically” send troops to defend a Nato ally under attack.
And he has dodged calls specifically to condemn IRA violence, amid pressure to apologise for his close links at the height of the Troubles.
Mr Corbyn’s hard left views have convinced the Communist Party of Great Britain not to stand any candidates against Labour on June 8.
And he recently defended hiring an aide, Andrew Murray, who was a Communist party member until late last year and who in 2003 referred to Communists’ basic principle of “solidarity” with “People’s Korea” – North Korea.
James Cleverly, a Conservative candidate, said: “Jeremy Corbyn is simply not fit to be Prime Minister. He has been cosying up to Communists for years, and they would be by his side to disarm our military and abandon our allies if he makes it to Downing Street.”