‘You appalling bigot’... Red Ken’s brutal radio row with top moderate John Mann
THE row sparked by Ken Livingstone saying that Shadow Defence Minister Kevan Jones needed ‘psychiatric help’ deepened yesterday when the former London Mayor clashed with moderate Labour MP John Mann on the capital’s LBC radio station. Here’s an edited sample of their heated exchange: LIVINGSTONE: Don’t you think it would have been better if rather than slagging me off, he [Jones] might have picked up the phone? MANN: It’d be far better if you stopped your excruciating apologies for your bigoted views which are so shocking, so appalling that they are unfit in any political party. LIVINGSTONE: We’re spending £20billion on Trident… We are not doing enough for people with mental health issues. MANN: You are a most appalling bigot. Your failure to understand the insults and the hurt you have given to people with mental health problems by trying to excuse your behaviour… You should give an absolute apology to everyone and stop justifying your bigoted remarks. LIVINGSTONE: An ordinary Labour party member said to me: Do you think those people like Mann would prefer to see the re-election of a Tory government than Jeremy Corbyn in Downing Street? MANN: Rubbish! LIVINGSTONE: That’s the impression you’ve created. MANN: You are there twisting things and failing to apologise... You’re the one who’s creating dissent. We’ve a by-election for parliament in Oldham… come with me and knock on doors. LIVINGSTONE: I’m looking after my kids... That’s my priority. I’m the house husband. MANN: You’re all mouth, you’re all mouth. LIVINGSTONE: Why don’t you say something critical about an MP who attacks someone he’s never spoken to, smears them and says they are not fit to do the job? MANN: The only smear is you using mental health in the most disgusting way... You are a bully attacking Kevan Jones.