Corbyn defends promotion of MP accused of inappropriate behaviour | The Guardian

Last Updated: November 6, 2017By

Labour MP Kelvin Hopkins was suspended from the party on 2 November [Image: Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images].

Jeremy Corbyn has defended promoting Kelvin Hopkins to his shadow cabinet after the Labour MP had been reprimanded over claims of inappropriate behaviour, saying that as far as he knew, “the case had been closed”.

With a series of allegations faced by some Labour MPs, as well as a number of Conservatives, Corbyn has been under pressure to explain why he made Hopkins shadow culture secretary in 2016 after complaints from a party activist.

Hopkins, who is no longer in the shadow cabinet, was appointed amid a wave of changes caused by frontbenchers resigning in protest at Corbyn. The Labour leader said on Sunday he knew about the allegations, but believed it was over.

“Yes, I was aware that he had been reprimanded and I was also made aware that that was the end of the matter,” Corbyn said. “He had been reprimanded, the case had been closed. I thought it was reasonable to appoint him, albeit for a very short time, to shadow cabinet.”

He added: “I made a decision to put him into the shadow cabinet for a short time and I thought that was the right thing to do. And now the case has been reopened and it will be looked at again.

“He has been suspended from party membership, which is a decision I took immediately I heard about the later revelations.”

In a statement after he was suspended, Hopkins said he “absolutely and categorically” denied he acted in an inappropriate way. He said: “I simply put an arm around her shoulder to give her a brief, slight hug just before getting into my car.

“I did not hold her tight. I did not rub any part of my body against Ava. She waved me off as I drove away and did not say anything whatsoever to suggest that anything had occurred that upset her, let alone revolted her.”

Source: Corbyn defends promotion of MP accused of inappropriate behaviour | World news | The Guardian


Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(
but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:

Donate Button with Credit Cards

Here are four ways to be sure you’re among the first to know what’s going on.

1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (in the left margin). You can then receive notifications of every new article that is posted here.

2) Follow VP on Twitter @VoxPolitical

3) Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoxPolitical/

Join the Vox Political Facebook page.

4) You could even make Vox Political your homepage at http://voxpoliticalonline.com

And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!

If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!

Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.


The Livingstone Presumption is now available
in either print or eBook format here:

HWG PrintHWG eBook

Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:

HWG PrintHWG eBook

The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:

SWAHTprint SWAHTeBook

2 Comments

  1. NMac November 6, 2017 at 11:33 am - Reply

    I dare say the right wing media will got to town on this one, while desperately trying to ignore the real Tory scandals.

  2. Roland Laycock November 6, 2017 at 6:22 pm - Reply

    I trust JC

Leave A Comment