Alastair Campbell condemns podcast co-host Rory Stewart’s Corbyn stance
Blair's ex-spokesperson questions why his Rest Is Politics podcast co-host agreed to appear on the pro-Jeremy Corbyn Novara Media outlet
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Ex-Conservative MP Rory Stewart has been criticised by his podcast co-presenter Alastair Campbell over his decision to appear on a staunchly pro-Jeremy Corbyn media outlet and claim it was “disgusting” the ex-Labour leader was “thrown out.”
In an interview with the commentator Ash Sakar broadcast by Novara Media last Sunday, Stewart, who stepped down as an MP in 2019, said:”“I think it’s disgusting he was thrown out of the Labour party. I mean, it’s mad.
“Jeremy Corbyn, whatever you think of him, is a major figure who represents a very significant part of Labour history and heritage. He was the leader of the party.”
The interview, which was heavily promoted on social media by the pro-Corbyn outlet, immediately sparked a backlash from within the community.
Jewish Leadership Council chief executive Claudia Mendoza, who had worked closely with Stewart in the past on his aborted campaign to become mayor of London, was among those to condemn his remarks, describing his newfound defence of Corbyn as “disgusting.”
Campaigning to be mayor in 2019, Stewart had spoken openly about his Jewish wife at communal events, and claimed one of the main reasons he had stepped down as a Tory MP was his dislike of Corbyn, as well as Boris Johnson.
Now, appearing on his own Rest Is Politics podcast, Stewart has also been criticised by his co-presenter Alastair Campbell, who accused Stewart of attempting to portray Corbyn as some kind of “Gandhi/Abraham Lincoln type figure”.
He also accused the ex-Tory of seeking to win over the approval of Novara Media listeners with his pro-Corbyn stance because he thought that was what they wanted to hear him say.
Blair’s former spokesperson said:”The fact is, if I would have been on Novara Media, I would have said that the politics they pursue, this relentless, anti-Keir Starmer, Jeremy Corbyn is some kind of messiah.. they overlook the fact that Corbyn ‘you have said this before.'”
Campbell, who campaigned for the former MP Luciana Berger in Finchley and Golders Green, when she stood for the Lib Dems in 2019, said that in his view Corbyn was “partly responsible for Brexit, no doubt about that.”
Fascinating few hours with @schooltruth out canvassing for @lucianaberger in Finchley and Golders Green. I know @UKLabour second last time but the anti-Semitism and general views re Corbyn mean she is the best placed pre @peoplesvote_uk candidate. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/WiGfaYcqNq
— ALASTAIR CAMPBELL (@campbellclaret) November 24, 2019
He then added that while some would “admire” the fact that Corbyn has “been around parliament for a long time” he “didn’t lead the Labour Party anywhere in the right direction in terms of winning power” and actually didn’t really want to be in No 10.
But Stewart doubled down on his earlier comments in support of Corbyn, on Tuesday’s episode of the Rest Is Politics claiming current Labour leader Starmer was showing a “lack of confidence” by “expelling” Corbyn.
Stewart said he accepted Corbyn had “deep questions to answer over antisemitism” but added:”I see expelling Jeremy Corbyn as a really bad sign.
“The equivalent of Boris Johnson throwing out 21 members of the Conservative Party, Ken Clarke and six cabinet ministers you don;’t so that
“It’s a sign of a lack of confidence from Keir Starmer, he is running the Labour Party with a cabal of three or four people. He isn’t allowing a broad spectrum.”
Stewart’s repeated claim that Corbyn has been “expelled” by Labour is itself incorrect.
The party whip was removed from the Islington North MP as a result of his response to the EHRC report into antisemitism within Labour.
Corbyn has been urged to make a full and proper apology to the Jewish community for his actions, but has so far failed to do so.
He faces having to stand as an independent candidate at the next election, but has again failed to commit to any such move.
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