Fury as Labour MP claims Tories ‘plot to murder’ citizens
SIR KEIR Starmer is facing calls to sack one of his Shadow Ministers for openly claiming that Tory governments conspire to ‘murder’ people.
In a video seen by The Mail on Sunday, Left-wing firebrand Lloyd Russell-Moyle told Labour supporters: ‘I do not think it is an exaggeration when we say the Conservatives have conspired to murder and let die British citizens. That is what they have done and that is what they will continue to do.’
The incendiary comments provoked outrage across the political spectrum, with even Labour MPs privately calling on Sir Keir to fire Mr Russell-Moyle from his position as a Shadow Environment Minister.
The Brighton MP – one of the few Jeremy Corbyn supporters to keep a frontbench job when Sir Keir became Labour leader earlier this month – made his comments during last year’s General Election campaign
As well as being filmed claiming that 100,000 had‘ died early’ because of Tory policies, the 33- year-old also appeared to threaten Conservative voters in his constituency, saying that the area was ‘not Tory-free enough for my liking. We’ve still got a few more to rout out but because of your fantastic door- knocking, we know where they live.’
A spokesman for the Labour leader last night condemned Mr Russell-Moyle’s comments as ‘ unacceptable’ but signalled that he would keep his job. Allies of Sir Keir also pointed out the remarks were made before he became leader.
However, moderate Labour MP Neil Coyle called on Mr Russell-Moyle to resign to ‘protect the new leader’.
Bermondsey MP Mr Coyle said: ‘The use of extreme language was partly what put so many voters off supporting Labour in December. Accusations of murder or conspiracy should not be used to try to stir up hatred and division.’
And one leading Left-wing MP said privately that Mr RussellMoyle should be fired.
The MP said: ‘It is one thing to say that Tory policies have led to some people dying through neglect, as has been said before, but to say the Conservatives deliberately conspired to murder people is just lunatic.’
Tory MP Alexander Stafford urged Sir Keir to reconsider keeping Mr Russell-Moyle in his post, saying: ‘At a time when political parties should be coming together, it is frankly not acceptable that these comments have come from a senior Labour frontbencher.’
It is not the first time Mr Russell-Moyle has courted controversy. In December 2018, he caused a storm in the Commons when he theatrically seized the mace – the symbol of the Queen’s authority – in protest over the delay to a key Brexit vote.
First elected in 2017, he held on to his Brighton Kemptown seat in December, but sparked anger by vowing to continue the struggle against the new Tory Government by saying ‘we will fight them in the streets’.
Mr Russell-Moyle could not be reached for comment last night.
But a spokesman for Sir Keir said: ‘ These comments are unacceptable and Lloyd will be spoken to about them. We need to draw a line under this type of behaviour and have a more respectful public debate.’