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PR director receives alleged death threat referring to Jo Cox following accusations of involvement in Corbyn coup PR director receives alleged death threat referring to Jo Cox following accusations of involvement in Corbyn coup
(about 9 hours later)
A PR director has allegedly received a death threat that appeared to refer to the killing of Jo Cox, following accusations his firm was responsible for “orchestrating” a coup by Labour MPs against party leader Jeremy Corbyn. A PR director says he has received a death threat that appears to refer to the killing of Jo Cox, following accusations his firm was responsible for “orchestrating” a coup by Labour MPs against party leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Kevin McKeever, a partner at Portland Communications and a former Labour parliamentary candidate, claims to have received a letter warning he will be “coxed”, seemingly a reference to the death of the MP for Batley and Spen who was shot and stabbed in the street outside her constituency surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire last month.Kevin McKeever, a partner at Portland Communications and a former Labour parliamentary candidate, claims to have received a letter warning he will be “coxed”, seemingly a reference to the death of the MP for Batley and Spen who was shot and stabbed in the street outside her constituency surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire last month.
The alleged threat follows accusations from Unite general secretary Len McCluskey that the PR firm was “critically involved” in Labour MP's attempts to force Mr Corbyn to resign as leader.The alleged threat follows accusations from Unite general secretary Len McCluskey that the PR firm was “critically involved” in Labour MP's attempts to force Mr Corbyn to resign as leader.
Mr McKeever posted a picture of the threat on Facebook and Twitter. It reads: “hello comrade we’ve watched you leave this building we’ve watched you on the strand your blood is the price of your treachery prepare to be coxed :-)”Mr McKeever posted a picture of the threat on Facebook and Twitter. It reads: “hello comrade we’ve watched you leave this building we’ve watched you on the strand your blood is the price of your treachery prepare to be coxed :-)”
Mr McCluskey made reference to Portland on Sunday, telling the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show that anti-Corbyn MPs "have been seduced by sinister forces”.Mr McCluskey made reference to Portland on Sunday, telling the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show that anti-Corbyn MPs "have been seduced by sinister forces”.
He then mentioned "a company called Portland [...] This is a PR company with strong links to Tony Blair, right-wing Labour MPs, who have been critically involved in this orchestrated coup".He then mentioned "a company called Portland [...] This is a PR company with strong links to Tony Blair, right-wing Labour MPs, who have been critically involved in this orchestrated coup".
Mr McKeever did not initially comment on the allegations, but addressed them after his firm was named in relation by the online blog The Canary.Mr McKeever did not initially comment on the allegations, but addressed them after his firm was named in relation by the online blog The Canary.
Alongside the picture Mr McKeever wrote: “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 Mr McKeever wrote: “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 the murder two weeks ago of Labour MP, Jo Cox.“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 the murder two weeks ago of 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.“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.”
Labour MPs have condemned the threat labelling it “disgusting” and “vile”.Labour MPs have condemned the threat labelling it “disgusting” and “vile”.
Liz Kendall, MP for Leicester West and East Midlands, tweeted: "Disgraceful. Cowardly. And a betrayal of all we stand for. Kevin please know #wearewithyou".Liz Kendall, MP for Leicester West and East Midlands, tweeted: "Disgraceful. Cowardly. And a betrayal of all we stand for. Kevin please know #wearewithyou".
Lucy Powell, who has resigned from the Shadow Cabinet, tweeted: "This is disgusting. This vile (behaviour) has to be stopped."Lucy Powell, who has resigned from the Shadow Cabinet, tweeted: "This is disgusting. This vile (behaviour) has to be stopped."
MP Wes Streeting tweeted: "This is an absolutely disgusting turn of events. Death threats: the new politics? Just grim."MP Wes Streeting tweeted: "This is an absolutely disgusting turn of events. Death threats: the new politics? Just grim."
Police have not confirmed the threat against Mr McKeever.Police have not confirmed the threat against Mr McKeever.