Ken Livingstone apologises for MP mental health comments

Mr Livingstone clashed with Kevan Jones after the shadow defence minister said putting an opponent of nuclear weapons in joint charge of a review to decide the Labour’s s position on Trident would “damage” the party’s credibility.

Mr Livingstone, a former London mayor, has been asked to co-chair Labour’s defence review by Jeremy Corbyn, who called on him to apologise.

After appearing to brush aside these calls earlier today, Mr Livingstone took to Twitter, saying: “I unreservedly apologise to Kevan Jones for my comments. They should not have been made at all, let alone in this context.”

‘Incredibly concerned’

He apologised after the Labour leader’s spokesman said Mr Corbyn was “incredibly concerned that people with mental health problems shouldn’t be stigmatised” and Mr Livingstone “should apologise” immediately.

The row began when Mr Livingstone told the Mirror: “I think he (Kevan Jones) might need some psychiatric help. He’s obviously very depressed and disturbed. He should pop off and see his GP before he makes these offensive comments.”

Mr Jones said the comments reinforced the stigma about mental illness and called on Mr Corbyn to “seriously consider” whether Mr Livingstone “is fit to represent the party”.

‘Gravely offensive’

He told the newspaper: “I find these comments gravely offensive, not just personally but also to the many thousands who suffer from mental illness.This is why Ken Livingstone can’t be taken seriously in defence or any other policy issues.”

Simon Danczuk, an outspoken critic of Mr Corbyn’s leadership, tweeted: “@KevanJonesMP made it easier for me to talk, earlier this year, about how I suffered from depression. He’s an inspiration.”

‘Witch-hunt’

But former MP George Galloway said Mr Livingstone was the victim of a witch-hunt. He said: “The witch-hunt turns on Ken Livingstone. Tooth by tooth, claw by claw, they are trying to defang JC (Jeremy Corbyn). I defend Ken.”

Mr Jones, a former defence minister, told MPs about his experience of depression in 2012.