Keir Starmer clashes with Labour left over Rebecca Long-Bailey sacking
Shadow education secretary axed for retweeting ‘anti-Semitic article’
Keir Starmer is under fire from the left of the Labour Party after sacking shadow education secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey for sharing an article containing an “anti-Semitic conspiracy theory”.
In an interview with The Independent, actor Maxine Peake suggested that Israel’s “secret service” had taught US police the “neck-kneeling” technique used by a Minneapolis officer with fatal results while arresting George Floyd.
Peake later retracted the claim, and the newspaper has added a clarification to the interview, with a spokesperson for the Israeli police saying “there is no tactic or protocol that calls to put pressure on the neck or airway”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
However, the article triggered a furious row within Labour after Long-Bailey shared the article on Twitter on Thursday along with the caption, “Maxine Peake is an absolute diamond”. The Salford and Eccles MP later clarified that her retweet was not “an intention to endorse every part of that article”.
But less than three hours later, Starmer’s office released a statement announcing that he had sacked his former leadership rival. “Keir has been clear that restoring trust with the Jewish community is a number one priority,” the statement said.
The Labour leader later told reporters: “I didn’t do that because she is anti-Semitic, I did it because she shared the article which has got, in my view, anti-Semitic conspiracy theories in it.”
As The Guardian notes, the sacking has “reignited the party’s internal turmoil over the issue of anti-Semitism”. The Daily Mail describes a “civil war” between Starmer and allies of Jeremy Corbyn, who are rallying behind Corbynista Long-Bailey.
Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, a member of the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs, tweeted that he stood in “solidarity” with Long-Bailey, and also shared the controversial Independent article.
McDonnell later shared a petition calling for her reinstatement that had been signed by just under 10,000 people as of midday on Friday.
Meanwhile, Labour MP Jon Trickett, who also served in Corbyn’s shadow cabinet, tweeted: “What has Sir Keir got against Northern socialists from working class backgrounds?”
However, the Jewish Labour Movement said the sacking “should be welcomed”. And Labour MP Margret Hodge, an outspoken critic of anti-Semitism within Labour, tweeted: “This is what a change in culture looks like. This is what zero tolerance looks like.”
According to the BBC, Starmer spoke to members of the Socialist Campaign Group this morning, via Zoom, to discuss Long-Bailey’s sacking.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Pros and cons of solar energy
Pros and cons Solar power could become the primary source of electricity worldwide by 2050 – but there are still clouds in the forecast
By Rebecca Messina, The Week UK Published
-
Post Office's Capture software to be reviewed over 'glitches'
Speed Read Solicitor representing accused postmasters says flaws in the IT system follow 'very similar pattern' to Horizon
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
How would we know if World War Three had started?
Today's Big Question With conflicts in Ukraine, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific, the 'spark' that could ignite all-out war 'already exists'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Barack Obama 'behind Starmer transformation'
Under The Radar The former US president urged Labour leader to 'talk more openly'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Britain's biggest political donors
The Explainer With the 2024 general election set to be the highest-spending contest ever we look at who is giving to which party and why
By The Week UK Published
-
Keir Starmer: The Biography – five things we learned
Why everyone's talking about New book offers glimpses behind the Labour leader's political persona
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What will £28bn green investment U-turn cost Labour?
Today's Big Question Dropping flagship pledge 'will confirm workers' scepticism of the endless promises of jam tomorrow', said union leader
By The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published