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Worker at PR firm allegedly behind Labour coup 'receives death threat' Worker at PR firm allegedly behind Labour coup plot 'receives death threat'
(35 minutes later)
A PR worker whose company union boss Len McCluskey accused of “orchestrating” Labour MPs’ “coup” against Jeremy Corbyn has said he has received a death threat telling him he should “prepare to be coxed” – an apparent reference to Jo Cox. A PR worker whose company has been accused by union leader Len McCluskey of orchestrating an attempted coup by Labour MPs against Jeremy Corbyn has said he has received a death threat telling him he should “prepare to be coxed” – an apparent reference to Jo Cox.
Labour MPs have lined up to condemn the threat to Kevin McKeever, a partner at Portland Communications and a former parliamentary candidate for the party, as “disgusting”, “disgraceful” and “a betrayal for all we stand for”. Labour MPs have lined up to condemn the threat to Kevin McKeever, a partner at Portland Communications and a former parliamentary candidate for the party, as “disgusting”, “disgraceful” and “a betrayal of all we stand for”.
It comes after Unite general secretary McCluskey accused Portland of being a “sinister” organisation with “Blairite” links that has been “critically involved” in Labour MPs’ attempts to make Corbyn stand down as leader, in an apparent reference to loose allegations made by online blog The Canary. It comes after McCluskey, the general secretary of Unite, accused Portland of being a “sinister” organisation with Blairite links that had been “critically involved” in attempts by Labour MPs to make Corbyn stand down as leader, in an apparent reference to loose allegations made by online blog the Canary.
McKeever has now posted a photo of the alleged death threat on Facebook and Twitter. McKeever has posted a photo of the alleged death threat on Facebook and Twitter.
The typed threat reads:The typed threat reads:
hello comradehello comrade
we’ve watched you leave this buildingwe’ve watched you leave this building
we’ve watched you on the strandwe’ve watched you on the strand
your blood is the price of your treacheryyour blood is the price of your treachery
prepare to be coxedprepare to be coxed
:-):-)
It is thought the final sentence is a reference to Jo Cox, the Labour MP who was killed after being shot and stabbed in Birstall, West Yorkshire, on 16 June. It is thought the final sentence is a reference to Jo Cox, the Labour MP who was killed when she was shot and stabbed in Birstall, West Yorkshire, on 16 June.
Alongside the picture, McKeever posted a statement that read: “Many of you will have read posts on a blog suggesting a link between me, my workplace and the moves by Labour MPs in parliament. They have no basis in truth.Alongside the picture, McKeever posted a statement that read: “Many of you will have read posts on a blog suggesting a link between me, my workplace and the moves by Labour MPs in parliament. They have no basis in truth.
“I’ve made my personal views clear on our party’s leadership. “I’ve made my personal views clear on our party’s leadership. I have, however, been silent for the past few days due to a hand-delivered death threat, suggesting I should be ‘coxed’, a reference to ... Labour MP, Jo Cox. On the advice of the police and in the interests of the personal safety of me, my family, I will not be commenting further.
“I have, however, been silent for the past few days due to a hand-delivered death threat, suggesting I should be ‘coxed’, a reference to ... Labour MP, Jo Cox.
“On the advice of the police and in the interests of the personal safety of me, my family, I will not be commenting further.
“We have a Labour party to return to after this mess. I hope we all reflect.”“We have a Labour party to return to after this mess. I hope we all reflect.”
McCluskey made reference to Portland during a television interview on Sunday. McCluskey made reference to Portland during a television interview on Sunday. Referring to MPs who want to remove Corbyn, he told BBC1’s Andrew Marr Show: “I think they have been seduced by sinister forces in play here.
Referring to MPs who want to remove Corbyn, he told BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show: “I think they have been seduced by sinister forces in play here. “Well, if the BBC want to do an investigatory programme of a company called Portland then feel free to do so. This is a PR company with strong links to Tony Blair, rightwing Labour MPs, who have been critically involved in this orchestrated coup.”
“Well, if the BBC want to do an investigatory programme of a company called Portland then feel free to do so.
“This is a PR company with strong links to Tony Blair, right-wing Labour MPs, who have been critically involved in this orchestrated coup.”
Labour MPs lined up to condemn the alleged death threat, with Liz Kendall, Lucy Powell, Jon Ashworth and Wes Streeting all taking to Twitter the voice their anger.Labour MPs lined up to condemn the alleged death threat, with Liz Kendall, Lucy Powell, Jon Ashworth and Wes Streeting all taking to Twitter the voice their anger.
Disgraceful. Cowardly. And a betrayal of all we stand for. Kevin please know #wearewithyou https://t.co/djecnLgeLCDisgraceful. Cowardly. And a betrayal of all we stand for. Kevin please know #wearewithyou https://t.co/djecnLgeLC
This is disgusting. This vile has to be stopped. https://t.co/cB6rMtj168This is disgusting. This vile has to be stopped. https://t.co/cB6rMtj168
I'm sending my solidarity to @kevinmckeever - hate will not winI'm sending my solidarity to @kevinmckeever - hate will not win
This is an absolutely disgusting turn of events. Death threats: the new politics? Just grim. https://t.co/puIz8OX119This is an absolutely disgusting turn of events. Death threats: the new politics? Just grim. https://t.co/puIz8OX119
It comes after Corbyn and deputy leader Tom Watson held separate talks with McCluskey in an attempt to resolve the crisis at the top of the Labour party. The revelation comes after Corbyn and deputy leader Tom Watson held separate talks with McCluskey in an attempt to resolve the crisis at the top of the Labour party.