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Ex-shadow minister accuses Jeremy Corbyn of discrimination Shadow minister accuses Jeremy Corbyn of discrimination
(35 minutes later)
Chi Onwurah, the former shadow minister for culture and the digital economy, has suggested Jeremy Corbyn could be guilty of racial discrimination, in the latest attack by a senior Labour MP on his leadership. Chi Onwurah, the shadow minister for culture and the digital economy, has suggested Jeremy Corbyn could be guilty of racial discrimination, in the latest attack by a senior Labour MP on his leadership.
In an article for the New Statesman, Onwurah claims part of her portfolio was handed over to another MP, Thangam Debbonaire, in Corbyn’s contentious January reshuffle; and “when he realised what he had done, he gave the role back to me, without telling Thangam”. In an article for the New Statesman, Onwurah claimed that part of her portfolio was handed over to another MP, Thangam Debbonaire, in Corbyn’s contentious January reshuffle, and that “when he realised what he had done, he gave the role back to me without telling Thangam”.
“Jeremy then went on for the next two months refusing my insistence that he speak to Thangam, indeed refusing to speak to either of us, whether directly or through the shadow cabinet, the whips, or his own office. No one knew what he wanted us to do, no one was clear on what we should be doing,” she said. She added: “Jeremy then went on for the next two months refusing my insistence that he speak to Thangam, indeed refusing to speak to either of us, whether directly or through the shadow cabinet, the whips, or his own office. No one knew what he wanted us to do, no one was clear on what we should be doing.”
Onwurah, the MP for Newcastle Central, claimed that in any other profession, Corbyn’s approach could have landed him in an employment tribunal.Onwurah, the MP for Newcastle Central, claimed that in any other profession, Corbyn’s approach could have landed him in an employment tribunal.
“If this had been any of my previous employers in the public and private sectors Jeremy might well have found himself before an industrial tribunal for constructive dismissal, probably with racial discrimination thrown in – given that only 5% of MPs are black and female, picking on us two is statistically interesting to say the least,” she said. “If this had been any of my previous employers in the public and private sectors, Jeremy might well have found himself before an industrial tribunal for constructive dismissal, probably with racial discrimination thrown in – given that only 5% of MPs are black and female, picking on us two is statistically interesting to say the least,” she said.
A spokesman for Corbyn said there were negotiation about responsibilities but nobody was sacked, and it was regrettable Onwurah felt singled out. A spokesman for Corbyn said there were negotiations about responsibilities but nobody was sacked, and it was regrettable that Onwurah felt singled out.
Onwurah’s account supported that of Debbonnaire, who has previously complained about her treatment at the hands of Corbyn’s team, at a time when she was receiving treatment for cancer. Onwurah’s account supported that of Debbonnaire, who has previously complained about her treatment at the hands of Corbyn’s team at a time when she was receiving treatment for cancer.
Onwurah said she had been working on a campaign against library closures – but was unable to launch it formally, because no one was sure whether libraries were part of her portfolio or not. Onwurah said she had been working on a campaign against library closures but was unable to launch it formally because no one was sure whether or not libraries were part of her portfolio.
She insisted that, “there is nothing socialist about incompetence”; and Corbyn had no monopoly on objecting to prejudice and injustice in society. She said there was “nothing socialist about incompetence” and Corbyn had no monopoly on objecting to prejudice and injustice in society.
“While Jeremy has been a persistent protester against other peoples’ prejudice that is not the same as bringing about the changes we so desperately need. Far from being the only route to greater equality in society in my personal experience Jeremy is not even the best person to ensure that within Labour,” Onwurah said. “While Jeremy has been a persistent protester against other peoples’ prejudice, that is not the same as bringing about the changes we so desperately need. Far from being the only route to greater equality in society, in my personal experience Jeremy is not even the best person to ensure that within Labour,” Onwurah said.
She was the latest former member of the shadow cabinet to criticise Corbyn’s leadership style. Heidi Alexander, who resigned as shadow health secretary in June, described Corbyn’s operation last week as, “unprofessional and shoddy”; while former shadow transport secretary Lilian Greenwood described being “undermined” by the leader. She is the latest former member of the shadow cabinet to criticise Corbyn’s leadership style. Last week Heidi Alexander, who resigned as shadow health secretary in June, described Corbyn’s operation as “unprofessional and shoddy”. The former shadow transport secretary Lilian Greenwood has described being “undermined” by the leader.
A spokesman for Corbyn’s office said: “Chi Onwurah’s comments relate to a discussion about the delineation of shadow cabinet roles last January, as is not uncommon in both shadow cabinets and cabinets. Chi was appointed by Jeremy Corbyn to be shadow minister for culture and the digital economy last September.A spokesman for Corbyn’s office said: “Chi Onwurah’s comments relate to a discussion about the delineation of shadow cabinet roles last January, as is not uncommon in both shadow cabinets and cabinets. Chi was appointed by Jeremy Corbyn to be shadow minister for culture and the digital economy last September.
“When Thangam Debbonaire was appointed as a dedicated shadow minister for the arts in January, there was a negotiation about the division of responsibilities with Chi and Thangam, but at no point was anyone sacked. We regret that Chi feels she was singled out, but this was clearly not the case.”“When Thangam Debbonaire was appointed as a dedicated shadow minister for the arts in January, there was a negotiation about the division of responsibilities with Chi and Thangam, but at no point was anyone sacked. We regret that Chi feels she was singled out, but this was clearly not the case.”
Corbyn will face off against his challenger Owen Smith on Thursday in the latest of the party’s hustings events, as ballot papers arrive in the hard-fought contest. Corbyn will face off against the leadership challenger Owen Smith on Thursday in the latest of the party’s hustings events.
Kezia Dugdale, the leader of Scottish Labour, gave Smith her endorsement on Monday, following Sadiq Khan’s backing for him over the weekend.Kezia Dugdale, the leader of Scottish Labour, gave Smith her endorsement on Monday, following Sadiq Khan’s backing for him over the weekend.
But Corbyn, who addressed a large rally in London on Sunday night, has the support of most of the major trade unions and the vast majority of constituency Labour parties.But Corbyn, who addressed a large rally in London on Sunday night, has the support of most of the major trade unions and the vast majority of constituency Labour parties.