Call off the rape threat bullies, Corbyn

Terrified women MPs’ plea

DOZENS of female Labour MPs have begged Jeremy Corbyn to call off the bullies who have threatened to kill or rape them.

They claim that supporters of the embattled Labour leader have unleashed a torrent of abuse including threats of death and rape aimed at mainly female MPs who they do not perceive to be loyal enough to Mr Corbyn.

Forty-four women MPs have written to Mr Corbyn, warning him that his supporters had not heeded the lessons of the terrible murder of Labour MP Jo Cox.

They said they were ‘alarmed’ to learn that John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, and other Shadow Cabinet members were addressing rallies where demonstrations outside MPs’ offices and bullying had been endorsed.

‘Rape threats, death threats, smashed cars and bricks through windows are disgusting and totally unacceptable in any situation... Jeremy, this is being done in your name,’ they wrote.

They added: ‘This is acknowledged by all factions yet the simple words of condemnation offered in response are inadequate. We expect swift and tangible action against those who commit such acts.’

The signatories account for nearly half the 99 women Labour MPs. They include ten former Shadow Cabinet ministers – seven of whom served under Mr Corbyn until last month.

Their letter urges Mr Corbyn to make three pledges: ‘The leader should make an unequivocal statement declaring his support for all MPs, particularly women, and clearly condemning campaigning outside MPs’ offices, surgeries etc.

‘The leader and his Shadow Cabinet must be prepared to actively challenge any behaviour which does not conform to Labour Party values, regardless of its origin.’

They also called for senior Labour figures to be ‘accountable for their actions in supporting events where such behaviour would appear to be encouraged’ and where abusive Tshirts and banners were circulated.

Signatories included Paula Sherriff; Luciana Berger, the Jewish Labour MP who had been subjected to anti-Semitic abuse; Stella Creasy, who has been threatened with deselection; and veteran MPs Dame Margaret Hodge, Caroline Flint and Fiona Mactaggart. The names cover the whole spectrum of the party, from the Blairite centrist Liz Kendall to the leftist Nia Griffiths.

Vicky Foxcroft, a Labour whip, had to barricade herself in her South London office recently after a man threatened to ‘kick the **** ’ out of her if she did not support Mr Corbyn.

Jess Phillips, a critic of the leader, recently handed over 96 pages of abusive threats that she received on social media to the Labour Party.

MPs pointed out that men in the party were given an ‘easier time’ than women, even when they spoke out more firmly against Mr Corbyn.

One woman MP spoken to by the Daily Mail – who wanted to remain anonymous – has received death and rape threats despite being uncritical of Mr Corbyn.

She said: ‘It’s not just Jeremy. John McDonnell and Diane Abbott [the party’s health spokesman] need to be doing far more to convince us that they are working to stamp this out. They just do not speak out enough to condemn the abuse. They are wedded to power at all costs, even if it means putting up with the misogynists infiltrating the party.’

A Labour source said: ‘Some of the male MPs are more openly hos-

‘Not speaking out enough’

tile towards Jeremy yet they are not getting any flak. It is all aimed at women. Whoever they perceive to be the weakest, they will target. They are presuming that women MPs are the weakest.’ Gay MPs were also being targeted.

Commons authorities are urging MPs to choose from a selection of security packages in the wake of the murder of Mrs Cox.

Angela Eagle, who withdrew her leadership challenge this week, has stopped walk-in advice sessions for her constituents in Wallasey.

Labour has also banned constituency Labour Party meetings over fears that the safety of MPs and their supporters cannot be guaranteed.

A spokesman for Mr Corbyn said: ‘Jeremy has consistently condemned all abuse and called repeatedly for a kinder, gentler politics. Anyone with evidence of abuse or threats should inform both the police and Jeremy and he will ensure it is properly investigated by the party.’

A spokesman for Mr McDonnell denied he had incited supporters at rallies to protest outside MPs’ offices. ‘John has not attended such meetings and in fact has specifically called for people not to protest outside MPs’ offices on more than one occasion.

‘He also has a long record of campaigning against all forms of bullying, he led the campaign against blacklisting; and publicly condemned the reported attempts to bully Angela Eagle off the ballot paper.’

Mr Corbyn has said he also received death threats in recent weeks.

Owen Smith, who is challenging Mr Corbyn for the leadership, said a culture of bullying had taken hold under the current leader.

WHEN Jeremy Corbyn launched his leadership re-election campaign on Thursday, he made sure to surround himself with a posse of smiling female party activists.

After much hugging and kissing, he stepped up to the platform and piously reaffirmed Labour’s absolute commitment to equality and a ‘kinder gentler politics’.

How deeply ironic then that, on the same day, 44 of his women MPs sent him a letter complaining they had suffered death and rape threats and had cars damaged and windows smashed – all by so-called party supporters. Indeed, Angela Eagle has been so viciously targeted that police have told her not to attend public surgeries because they cannot guarantee her safety.

The perceived crime of these women? To oppose Mr Corbyn’s leadership.

They complain that he does nothing to prevent this despicable campaign of intimidation and that his shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, positively encourages it. Welcome to the kinder, gentler Labour Party! The shock troops of what the women call ‘this culture of hatred’ are members of Momentum, the hard-Left group which has aligned itself with Mr Corbyn and is determined to take over the party. But it’s extremely difficult to believe their actions are not sanctioned from the top.

Mr Corbyn may spout platitudes about not condoning strongarm tactics but he knows exactly what’s going on. And things will soon get much worse.

If he retains the leadership, he says all Labour MPs will face re-selection. This signals a purge of the moderates and will be taken by the bully boys as carteblanche for yet more intimidation.

Meanwhile, millions of ordinary working-class voters have effectively been disenfranchised. They have nothing in common with these zealots and they can see their party – and any chance of it ever being re-elected – imploding.

To make things worse, no leaders of stature are emerging among the moderates – who form the majority of Labour MPs – to take on the Corbynistas. The party is disintegrating before our eyes.

Forget the appalling lack of a proper opposition in Westminster, we are truly seeing a new low in British politics.