23 Mar 2016

Labour list: ‘This makes us a laughing stock’

Labour has been forced to go on the defensive after the leak of a list which allegedly ranks MPs according to their support of Jeremy Corbyn.

The list, claimed to have been drawn up by allies of the Labour leader, divides MPs into five categories, from “core” to “hostile”.

Core MPs are described as those closest to Mr Corbyn, or his inner circle in the parliamentary party. There is another rank for “core group plus”, which is said to describe his outer circle, while others are “neutral but not hostile”.

The “hostile” group numbers 36, and includes figures such as Sadiq Khan, the party’s candidate for mayor of London, and Rosie Winterton, the chief whip.

Labour MPs say the list was drawn up by Katy Clark, Mr Corbyn’s political secretary, according to The Times, which obtained the document.

Mr Corbyn has denied any knowledge or links with the list. A spokesman said: “It doesn’t come from this office and we have no knowledge of it.” A senior Labour source denied speculation that the list may have been drawn up by Ms Clark.

However, signs of strain have already emerged.

Former frontbencher John Woodcock, who was described as “hostile”, said in a Tweet which was later deleted: “F***ing disaster. Worse week for Cameron since he came in and that stupid f***ing list makes us into a laughing stock.”

Michael Dugher, who was sacked as shadow culture secretary in Mr Corbyn’s reshuffle earlier this year, said: “That ‘list’ is particularly stupid”.

John Spellar, former shadow foreign minister, was seen wearing a handmade badge saying: “Core group negative”.

The row has been seized upon by the Tories, who were keen to exploit it during Prime Minister’s Questions.

David Cameron told the Labour leader, “I thought I had problems” and suggested he was a “core” supporter of Mr Corbyn.

Of those on the list, the largest proportion are listed as “neutral but not hostile”. Some 49 are “core group negative”, while 17 are missing from the list.

Conor McGinn MP tweeted: “I’m one of the 17 Labour MPs not on ‘the list’. Can’t work out whether that means a first class ticket to Havana or the train to Siberia…”

Mr Corbyn’s office has attempted to distance the leader from the list. An email has been sent to MPs saying: “This has nothing to do with Jeremy Corbyn’s office and does not reflect his views. Jeremy Corbyn supports and works closely with the Chief Whip and the Whips’ Office.”

One MP told the Press Association: “People are joking is there an appeals procedure because they have been classed as more supportive than they are.”