Corbyn urged to isolate O’mara as further allegations emerge
Kate Mccann, Helena Horton and Verity Ryan
JEREMY CORBYN was under pressure to suspend Jared O’mara last night after the Labour MP allegedly called a woman an “ugly b----” and made homophobic and racist slurs, which he blamed on “lad culture” and “football”.
It also emerged last night that Mr O’mara, the MP for Sheffield Hallam, where he ousted former Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg at the last election, made disparaging comments about children in his Sheffield constituency.
Posting on an internet forum before he became an MP he said children from the area were more interested in “crack” than children’s TV, adding: “They only hang around Asda to break into the ‘guide dogs for the blind’ collection statue at the entrance.”
Labour confirmed it is investigating comments Mr O’mara made in 2002 and 2004, alongside allegations that he made “misogynistic” remarks seven months ago. John Mcdonnell, the shadow chancellor, branded the earlier remarks “unacceptable” last night amid calls for the MP to be sacked.
Mr Corbyn reportedly told a committee of MPS it would be “a shame” if Mr O’mara were to resign his position on the women and equalities select committee, hours before he stepped down under pressure over the remarks. In a letter to Mr Corbyn, Justine Greening, the Education Secretary, said: “These comments show the deep and persistent stain on Labour’s ability to represent women, the LGBT community and wider society.
“It is time you step forward, as leader of the Labour Party, and send a message that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated.”
A Labour spokesman told The Daily Telegraph: “The party is investigating Jared O’mara MP in relation to comments and behaviour which have been reported from earlier this year.”
A source last night said Labour has no intention of removing the party whip. The Corbyn-supporting MP has been accused of calling Sophie Evans, a bar worker, an “ugly b----”. The incident, which Mr O’mara has denied, allegedly occurred in March when the Labour MP ran a bar in Sheffield and came to light after homophobic and sexist comments he made were revealed earlier this year. Mr O’mara told Huck Magazine he would not resign.