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Jeremy Corbyn condemns Clive Lewis comments and denies accusations of misogyny in Labour party | Jeremy Corbyn condemns Clive Lewis comments and denies accusations of misogyny in Labour party |
(35 minutes later) | |
Jeremy Corbyn has condemned a “completely unacceptable” comment made by MP Clive Lewis and denied accusations of misogyny within the Labour Party. | |
It follows the furore over a video in which Mr Lewis told a male actor to “get on your knees b****” at a game show segment of a Momentum event, held alongside the party conference. | |
The emergence of the footage led to a storm of criticism directed at Mr Lewis from all political sides. | The emergence of the footage led to a storm of criticism directed at Mr Lewis from all political sides. |
Mr Corbyn, who had previously avoided talking publicly of the issue, appeared to bow to pressure to speak out on Saturday. | Mr Corbyn, who had previously avoided talking publicly of the issue, appeared to bow to pressure to speak out on Saturday. |
On a visit to Norwich, the Labour leader said to the BBC of the comments: “Completely wrong, should never have said it – completely unacceptable comments.” | |
He added: “He’s been in touch with me to apologise personally to me, and it’s a message to everybody – this kind of language is not acceptable in any circumstances at any time.” | |
Asked if the comments indicated wider misogyny within the party, he replied: “It points to a bad remark he made in particular circumstances. | |
“I am leading a party which has more women MPs than all the others put together, and we have more all-women shortlists for selections coming up.” | |
On Friday, Women and Equalities Minister Justine Greening had called on Mr Corbyn to condemn the “sexist, misogynistic language”. | On Friday, Women and Equalities Minister Justine Greening had called on Mr Corbyn to condemn the “sexist, misogynistic language”. |
But others at the event have maintained the remark was made in jest. The man the comments were directed at, Sam Swann, told The Independent: “He says to me ‘on your knees b****’ and it is clearly jovial. | But others at the event have maintained the remark was made in jest. The man the comments were directed at, Sam Swann, told The Independent: “He says to me ‘on your knees b****’ and it is clearly jovial. |
“The whole event was so brilliant for seeing MPs letting their hair down and f******g around with people who support them. I think Clive Lewis is an absolute legend.” | “The whole event was so brilliant for seeing MPs letting their hair down and f******g around with people who support them. I think Clive Lewis is an absolute legend.” |
Ash Sarkar of Novara Media, who compered the event, said she called for a volunteer to keep score in a game show section, and then asked him to kneel down so the cameras had a clear view of the stage. | Ash Sarkar of Novara Media, who compered the event, said she called for a volunteer to keep score in a game show section, and then asked him to kneel down so the cameras had a clear view of the stage. |
She added: “He made a little face, and then Clive jokingly said ‘on your knees, bitch’ to him. The joke was delivered in the spirit of campy humour.” | |
But many female Labour MPs had already lined up to take aim at Mr Lewis following the revelations. | But many female Labour MPs had already lined up to take aim at Mr Lewis following the revelations. |
Jess Phillips, the Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, posted on Twitter: “Just seen the Clive Lewis video. Obviously I’m appalled, just listened to seven teenage girls speak up about gender inequality. Perhaps I’ll bring them to work on Monday.” | Jess Phillips, the Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, posted on Twitter: “Just seen the Clive Lewis video. Obviously I’m appalled, just listened to seven teenage girls speak up about gender inequality. Perhaps I’ll bring them to work on Monday.” |
Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy tweeted: “It’s not OK. Even if meant as a joke, reinforces menace that men have the physical power to force compliance.” | |
Yvette Cooper, chair of Parliament’s Home Affairs Select Committee, said: “No excuse for saying this, whatever context.” | Yvette Cooper, chair of Parliament’s Home Affairs Select Committee, said: “No excuse for saying this, whatever context.” |
The party’s former deputy leader Harriet Harman added: “Inexplicable. Inexcusable. Dismayed.” | The party’s former deputy leader Harriet Harman added: “Inexplicable. Inexcusable. Dismayed.” |
Mr Lewis issued an apology saying: “I apologise unreservedly for the language I used at an event in Brighton last month. It was offensive and unacceptable.” | Mr Lewis issued an apology saying: “I apologise unreservedly for the language I used at an event in Brighton last month. It was offensive and unacceptable.” |
But he later garnered fresh criticism for ‘liking’ tweets from supporters that called his comments “harmless banter”, being condemned by “shameless hypocrites”. |
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