This article is from the source 'independent' 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.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jeremy-corbyn-aide-russia-syria-us-air-strikes-distraction-brendan-cox-jo-mp-a7357796.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Jeremy Corbyn aide branded 'disgraceful' after saying focus on Russian atrocities in Syria are a distraction Jeremy Corbyn aide branded ‘disgraceful’ after saying focus on Russian atrocities in Syria are a distraction
(about 3 hours later)
Jeremy Corbyn’s aide provoked anger today after claiming a focus on Russian military atrocities in Syria is diverting attention from acts committed by the United States and its allies in the war-torn country. Jeremy Corbyn’s aide provoked anger today after claiming a focus on Russian military atrocities in Syria is diverting attention from acts committed by the United States and its allies in the war-torn country. Russian bombing in Aleppo has reportedly killed dozens this week alone, but the leader’s spokesman said the US was also responsible for “very large scale civilian casualties”.
Russian bombing in Aleppo has reportedly killed dozens this week alone, but the leader's spokesman said the US was also responsible for “very large scale civilian casualties”.
After Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said people should protest outside the Russian embassy in London, the spokesman argued people could also demonstrate outside the American embassy.After Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said people should protest outside the Russian embassy in London, the spokesman argued people could also demonstrate outside the American embassy.
The comments drew an angry reaction from Brendan Cox, the husband of the MP Jo Cox who campaigned for more aid for Syria, as he branded them “disgraceful”.The comments drew an angry reaction from Brendan Cox, the husband of the MP Jo Cox who campaigned for more aid for Syria, as he branded them “disgraceful”.
Speaking after Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Corbyn's spokesman said: “The focus on Russian atrocities, or Syrian army atrocities, which is absolutely correct, I think sometimes diverts attention from other atrocities that have taken place. Speaking after Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Corbyn’s spokesman said: “The focus on Russian atrocities, or Syrian army atrocities, which is absolutely correct, I think sometimes diverts attention from other atrocities that have taken place.”
“Independent assessments are that there have been very large scale civilian casualties as a result of US-led coalition bombing and there are several cases of large numbers of civilian deaths in single attacks and there hasn’t been so much attention on those atrocities or those casualties. He added: “Independent assessments are that there have been very large scale civilian casualties as a result of US-led coalition bombing and there are several cases of large numbers of civilian deaths in single attacks and there hasn’t been so much attention on those atrocities or those casualties.
“Both the United States and Britain, the British government, have been reluctant to accept any independent assessment of those.” “Both the United States and Britain, the British Government, have been reluctant to accept any independent assessment of those.”
Last night Mr Johnson caused an angry reaction from Russia after suggesting people should protest outside the country’s London embassy due to its actions in Syria. Last night Mr Johnson sparked an angry response from Russia after suggesting people should protest outside the country’s London embassy due to its actions in Syria.
But asked whether people should also rally outside the US embassy, Mr Corbyn’s spokesman said: “People are free to protest outside the intervening powers’ embassies and there are a number of them, not just the United States and Russia. But asked whether people should also rally outside the US embassy, Mr Corbyn’s spokesman said: “People are free to protest outside the intervening powers’ embassies and there are a number of them, not just the United States and Russia. There are multiple foreign interventions in the Syrian civil war.”
“There are multiple foreign interventions in the Syrian civil war.” Ms Cox, who was killed outside her constituency surgery in Birstall before the EU referendum, had chaired the all party parliamentary friends of Syria group. 
Ms Cox, who was killed outside her constituency surgery in Birstall before the EU referendum, had chaired the all party parliamentary friends of Syria group.
Her husband Brendan said today following the comments: “This isn't just wrong, it's absolutely disgraceful.”Her husband Brendan said today following the comments: “This isn't just wrong, it's absolutely disgraceful.”