Emily Thornberry's warning over Jeremy Corbyn's neutral Brexit stance
Emily Thornberry warned that Jeremy Corbyn’s neutral stance on Brexit would spell ruin for Labour… three months BEFORE disastrous election
- Labour MP Emily Thornberry gave warning over Brexit stance three months ago
- Raised fears at conference over Jeremy Corbyn saying he ‘did not have a view’
- BBC Two documentary reveals she ‘really pushed’ for Labour to back Remain
- The Brexit Storm Continues: Laura Kuenssberg’s Inside Story is at 9pm tonight
Labour MP Emily Thornberry warned privately three months ago that her party would suffer in the General Election by taking a neutral stance on Brexit, it emerged today.
She told the Labour conference in Brighton in September that leader Jeremy Corbyn saying he ‘did not have a view’ on leaving the European Union could be disastrous.
The 59-year-old Shadow Foreign Secretary was said to have been ‘really pushing’ for Labour to openly back Remain, according to a BBC documentary on tonight.
Emily Thornberry, pictured arriving for the funeral of Frank Dobson at St Pancras Church in London yesterday, warned privately in September that her party would suffer in the election
The programme, The Brexit Storm Continues: Laura Kuenssberg’s Inside Story, on BBC Two at 9pm tonight, includes a recording of her speaking at the conference.
She said: ‘I think Jeremy is trying to find a compromise but if he goes into an election saying ‘I don’t have a view’ on the single biggest decision that we have to make. I think – what worries me is that every single interview he does will all be about Brexit.’
Asked if this would affect Labour’s election chances, she said: ‘Well, I think it makes it more difficult and that’s why I’m really pushing this because I want Jeremy in No 10.’
It comes as a bitter row between Miss Thornberry and fellow Labour politicians Caroline Flint could end up in court.
Miss Thornberry speaks at the Labour Party conference at the Brighton Centre in September
Miss Thornberry has contacted her solicitors after accusing Miss Flint of spreading the ‘most extraordinary lies’ about her.
Miss Flint, who lost her Leave-backing Don Valley seat last week, had claimed the Miss Thornberry called Brexiteers ‘stupid’ after the 2016 referendum.
She made the initial allegation on Sky News’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme.
She said: ‘Keir Starmer led us to a policy that did not listen to Labour Leave voices who urged caution, he led us down the path of a second referendum, and I’m afraid Emily Thornberry did as well.
The Brexit Storm Continues: Laura Kuenssberg’s Inside Story is on BBC Two at 9pm tonight
‘She said to one of my colleagues: ‘I’m glad my constituents aren’t as stupid as yours’. I’m sorry, it’s not acceptable.
‘And therefore we’re going to have to really look at what might make a candidate for leader who can at least steer us to a better place over the next few years.’
Miss Thornberry, who is said to be considering a leadership bid, said she had asked Miss Flint to withdraw the comment but she had not done so.
The MP for Islington South and Finsbury added: ‘I’ve had to go to solicitors. I mean, people can slag me off – so long as it is true, I’ll take it on the chin.’
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn leaves after Mr Dobson’s funeral in London yesterday
Miss Flint told ITV’s Good Morning Britain that she stood by her remarks but would not make any further comment.
In 2014 Miss Thornberry had to resign from the Shadow Cabinet after being accused of sneering at a house bedecked with England flags.
Meanwhile, Mr Corbyn is set to address the remaining Labour MPs amid bitter recriminations over party’s catastrophic General Election defeat.
MPs are returning to Westminster with the party in turmoil following its worst election performance since 1935.
Some furious MPs and defeated candidates have angrily pointed the finger of blame at Mr Corbyn, saying his past record and left wing policies were poison on the doorstep.
But allies of the Labour leader have said divisions within the party over Brexit proved impossible to bridge while he was ‘demonised’ by the media.
Mr Corbyn has said he will stand down following a ‘process of reflection’ – with a new leader expected to be in place by the end of March.
However, that is unlikely to lessen the anger when he addresses the Parliamentary Labour Party at Westminster today.
Meanwhile, shadow education secretary Angela Rayner is reported to have agreed to step aside in the leadership race to support her close friend, Rebecca Long-Bailey.
The shadow business secretary – a protege of shadow chancellor John McDonnell – has long been seen as the favourite of the left to succeed Mr Corbyn.
Ms Rayner, who had also been touted as a possible contender, was reported to be considering a run for deputy leaders instead.
Other potential candidates include shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer, shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry and the backbenchers Lisa Nandy and Jess Phillips.
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