This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35783651

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Livingstone's Savile jibe at Dan Jarvis donors sparks anger Livingstone stands by Savile jibe at Jarvis donors
(about 5 hours later)
Ken Livingstone has sparked outrage by saying hedge funds donating to a Labour MP was like "Jimmy Savile funding a children's group". Ken Livingstone is standing by his comments about a hedge fund donation to a Labour MP being like "Jimmy Savile funding a children's group".
The former London mayor was taking a swipe at Dan Jarvis, who is being seen as a potential challenger to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. The former London Mayor told BBC News Dan Jarvis's acceptance of the cash showed he was not "genuinely Labour".
His words were branded "disgusting" by Corbyn-sceptic Labour MPs. The Savile comment was branded "disgusting" by one Labour MP - and former home secretary Alan Johnson said he should "keep his trap shut".
Mr Livingstone spoke out after Mr Jarvis set out his vision for winning back voters in a speech on Thursday. Mr Jarvis, who is tipped as a future Labour leader, has yet to respond.
Asked about the speech on LBC radio, the veteran left-winger said: "Somebody like Dan Jarvis has got to recognise: the last Labour government failed." Mr Livingstone told BBC News: "All hedge fund managers want is to know that they're going to have a prime minister who's going to allow them to continue to evade tax and it's totally unacceptable for hedge fund managers to be contributing to anyone in the Labour Party.
'Another embarrassment' "No-one in the Labour party who's genuinely Labour would want to take a penny from them."
"The other thing to say about Dan Jarvis. If you're really Labour, what are you doing taking thousands of pounds from hedge-fund managers? 'Outrageously stupid'
"Hedge-fund managers have been the most rapacious and damaging form of capitalists that we've had. It's absolutely bizarre. It's a bit like Jimmy Savile funding a children's group." Pressed on his choice of analogy, he said: "It's meant to be deliberately provocative because I'm saying to Dan Jarvis if you want to be a serious player in the Labour party, don't mix with these people, they're sick."
Mr Livingstone made the Savile comment in an interview with LBC Radio, after Mr Jarvis made a speech setting out his vision for returning Labour to power.
He said there is an "embittered group of old Blairites who are looking for someone to challenge Jeremy" and they think Dan Jarvis is "someone credible to run".He said there is an "embittered group of old Blairites who are looking for someone to challenge Jeremy" and they think Dan Jarvis is "someone credible to run".
Alan Johnson has described Mr Livingstone's comments as "outrageously stupid," in an interview to be broadcast at 22:00 GMT on BBC Radio 4's The World Tonight.
He will add: "Ken should learn to keep his trap shut."
Labour MP Ian Austin, a frequent critic of Mr Corbyn, tweeted that Mr Livingstone's comments were "disgusting. Just disgusting."Labour MP Ian Austin, a frequent critic of Mr Corbyn, tweeted that Mr Livingstone's comments were "disgusting. Just disgusting."
Another Labour MP, Jamie Reed, told The Huffington Post: "There's no sewer so fetid that Ken won't swim in it.Another Labour MP, Jamie Reed, told The Huffington Post: "There's no sewer so fetid that Ken won't swim in it.
"No regard for the victims, no regard for the pain and anger he will have caused, and no care for the damage he continues to do to Labour."No regard for the victims, no regard for the pain and anger he will have caused, and no care for the damage he continues to do to Labour.
"It's another embarrassment. I look forward to his shame-faced apology for his latest sickening outburst.""It's another embarrassment. I look forward to his shame-faced apology for his latest sickening outburst."
'Ken is Ken''Ken is Ken'
Former shadow minister Michael Dugher, who was sacked by Mr Corbyn in his first reshuffle, was quoted as telling the Huffington Post's Paul Waugh: "Ken Livingstone is not fit to lace Dan Jarvis's boots."Former shadow minister Michael Dugher, who was sacked by Mr Corbyn in his first reshuffle, was quoted as telling the Huffington Post's Paul Waugh: "Ken Livingstone is not fit to lace Dan Jarvis's boots."
Asked if he thought Mr Livingstone's comments were appropriate, shadow chancellor John McDonnell said: "Well Ken is Ken isn't he, really?"Asked if he thought Mr Livingstone's comments were appropriate, shadow chancellor John McDonnell said: "Well Ken is Ken isn't he, really?"
He added he knew Dan Jarvis and he was "an honest and decent bloke who is making a major contribution to the Labour Party".He added he knew Dan Jarvis and he was "an honest and decent bloke who is making a major contribution to the Labour Party".
Mr McDonnell said he "welcomed" Mr Jarvis's speech, describing it as "part of the democratic debate on the Labour Party".Mr McDonnell said he "welcomed" Mr Jarvis's speech, describing it as "part of the democratic debate on the Labour Party".
Mr Jarvis, a former paratrooper, is widely tipped as a future Labour leader.Mr Jarvis, a former paratrooper, is widely tipped as a future Labour leader.
In his speech on Thursday, he argued for a more "radical" approach to the economy than that pursued by New Labour in order to tackle inequality and win back voters.In his speech on Thursday, he argued for a more "radical" approach to the economy than that pursued by New Labour in order to tackle inequality and win back voters.
According to the Register of Members' Interests, Mr Jarvis received £16,800 from hedge-fund manager Martin Taylor in February to support his work as an MP. According to the Register of Members' Interests, Mr Jarvis received £16,800 from hedge fund manager Martin Taylor in February to support his work as an MP.
Mr Taylor, who according to reports in January was closing his Nevsky Capital hedge fund, has been one of Labour's biggest personal donors in recent years.Mr Taylor, who according to reports in January was closing his Nevsky Capital hedge fund, has been one of Labour's biggest personal donors in recent years.
Mr Jarvis was also given a donation of £12,500 in January from businessman Peter Hearn, who owns a financial recruitment agency.Mr Jarvis was also given a donation of £12,500 in January from businessman Peter Hearn, who owns a financial recruitment agency.