Abbott attacks new Labour MP over Syria air strikes

DianeAbbotthasbeenaccused of acting like an “internet troll” in a Twitter spat with a fellow Labour MP.

The accusation came after MsAbbott, one of JeremyCorbyn’s most ardent supporters in the Shadow Cabinet, attacked the newly elected Jo Cox for co-authoring an article in The Observer with the Tory MP Andrew Mitchell, the former International Development Secretary.

The piece called for the Government to consider safe havens in Syria to protect civilians from air attacks by President Bashar al-Assad.

Saying that protection of civilians should lie at “the centre of the mission”, it argued: “Some may think that a military component has no place in an ethical response to Syria. We completely disagree.”

Ms Abbott, now shadow International Development Secretary, tweeted: “Sad that Labour MPs want to support Cameron in his long-held desire to bomb Syria.”

The MP John Woodcock, chairman of the New Labour pressure group Progress, hit back, tweeting: “Plight of refugees more important than Westminster bubble. You’re shadow Int development sec not internet troll…”

Ms Abbott was yet to respond last night. It was reported by The Observer at the weekend that more than 50 Labour MPs are prepared to defy Mr Corbyn and vote for military action in Syria to protect civilians. The Labour leader has consistently said he is opposed to any military action in Syria.

In a Commons debate today, Ms Cox is expected to say Labour should not be blinded by the Iraq experience into avoiding the use of military action for humanitarian ends.

Russia has called on the British defence attaché in Moscow to clarify a report in The SundayTimes that British pilots have been given permission to attack Russian jets if they are fired on whilst flying sorties over Iraq. A Foreign Office spokesman said the attaché has had a meeting with the Russian defence ministry after it sought “clarification over inaccurate newspaper reports concerning RAF rules of engagement in Iraq”.