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Labour MPs accused of hypocrisy over John Woodcock’s suspension Labour MPs accused of hypocrisy over John Woodcock’s suspension
(about 17 hours later)
Blairite Labour MPs have been accused of hypocrisy after an apparent subdued or non-existent response from some to John Woodcock’s suspension from the party after it was claimed he sexually harassed a former female staffer.Blairite Labour MPs have been accused of hypocrisy after an apparent subdued or non-existent response from some to John Woodcock’s suspension from the party after it was claimed he sexually harassed a former female staffer.
Social media users have accused the likes of Jess Phillips and Stella Creasy of double standards with their silence on the Woodcock case standing in contrast to the vocal condemnation of a Jeremy Corbyn ally following the suspension of MP Kelvin Hopkins on claims of sexual misconduct in November 2017.Social media users have accused the likes of Jess Phillips and Stella Creasy of double standards with their silence on the Woodcock case standing in contrast to the vocal condemnation of a Jeremy Corbyn ally following the suspension of MP Kelvin Hopkins on claims of sexual misconduct in November 2017.
Woodcock, Phillips and Creasy have been a part of a group of Labour MPs critical of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, with all three supporting Owen Smith’s failed leadership challenge in 2016.Woodcock, Phillips and Creasy have been a part of a group of Labour MPs critical of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, with all three supporting Owen Smith’s failed leadership challenge in 2016.
At the start of the year, Phillips, Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, had explicitly called for Hopkins to be removed from the Labour party, without full due process having taken place.At the start of the year, Phillips, Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, had explicitly called for Hopkins to be removed from the Labour party, without full due process having taken place.
However, Phillips seems to have a different attitude and approach when it comes to her colleague John Woodcock, calling for an ‘independent investigation’ to take place into the matter.However, Phillips seems to have a different attitude and approach when it comes to her colleague John Woodcock, calling for an ‘independent investigation’ to take place into the matter.
The usually outspoken Phillips, who once vowed to metaphorically ‘knife’ Corbyn, appears to have resorted to a more measured response in light of Woodcock’s harassment allegation.The usually outspoken Phillips, who once vowed to metaphorically ‘knife’ Corbyn, appears to have resorted to a more measured response in light of Woodcock’s harassment allegation.
Instead of outright condemnation Phillips’ has instead opted for a cooler approach with suggestions on how to improve the complaints process. Phillips has opted for a cooler approach, with suggestions on how to improve the complaints process, instead of outright condemnation.
Creasy, MP for Walthamstow, had accused those who have questioned the veracity of the accusations leveled at Hopkins as indulging in “victim blaming.”Creasy, MP for Walthamstow, had accused those who have questioned the veracity of the accusations leveled at Hopkins as indulging in “victim blaming.”
Championing the issue, she spoke out through print, broadcast and online media outlets, during the spate of MP sexual misconduct allegations that surfaced last year, suggesting that people should be able to throw out their local MP if they’re found guilty of sexual misconduct, remarking: "In any other job, you'd lose your job,” according to Buzzfeed.Championing the issue, she spoke out through print, broadcast and online media outlets, during the spate of MP sexual misconduct allegations that surfaced last year, suggesting that people should be able to throw out their local MP if they’re found guilty of sexual misconduct, remarking: "In any other job, you'd lose your job,” according to Buzzfeed.
There has been no response on Ms Creasy's Twitter feed thus far to Woodcock's suspension.There has been no response on Ms Creasy's Twitter feed thus far to Woodcock's suspension.
READ MORE: Sexual harassment claims: Suspended Labour MP questions ‘integrity’ of process after details leakedREAD MORE: Sexual harassment claims: Suspended Labour MP questions ‘integrity’ of process after details leaked
On Twitter, where much of Labour infighting seems to take place, opposing views on the suspension are being argued over; ranging from theories that Corbyn’s office has been looking for an excuse to suspend the MP and accusations of “selective outrage,” to pleas that due process takes place.On Twitter, where much of Labour infighting seems to take place, opposing views on the suspension are being argued over; ranging from theories that Corbyn’s office has been looking for an excuse to suspend the MP and accusations of “selective outrage,” to pleas that due process takes place.
Woodcock, has released a statement stating that he does not accept the charge being brought against him but “has been cooperating fully with the process and remains committed to a thorough and fair investigation of the case.”Woodcock, has released a statement stating that he does not accept the charge being brought against him but “has been cooperating fully with the process and remains committed to a thorough and fair investigation of the case.”
He goes on to say that because details of his case were made available in the press by a Labour staffer, privy to the issue before his suspension, there is a “question mark over the integrity of the process.”He goes on to say that because details of his case were made available in the press by a Labour staffer, privy to the issue before his suspension, there is a “question mark over the integrity of the process.”
In a statement, a Labour Party spokesperson said: “John Woodcock has been suspended from the Labour Party pending due process. It would not be appropriate to comment further on an ongoing case.”In a statement, a Labour Party spokesperson said: “John Woodcock has been suspended from the Labour Party pending due process. It would not be appropriate to comment further on an ongoing case.”
Omar Baggili, RT JournalistOmar Baggili, RT Journalist
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