Angela Eagle accuses Jeremy Corbyn of ‘stirring’ amid safety fears
The MP blamed the current leader for stirring trouble and encouraging intimidation within the Labour party.
Angela Eagle has accused Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn of “stirring” things after she cancelled constituency surgeries over safety fears.
The former Labour leadership contender claims she was advised by police not to hold public advice sessions in her constituency – something she partly blames Mr Corbyn for.
“I think he (Mr Corbyn) has contributed to this. It’s all very well to condemn it, but there’s a permissive environment,” she told the Telegraph.
“You can make any number of ritual condemnations as you like but you have got to be judged by your actions, not just words.
“He has been stirring, he needs to be held to account. We have contacted the police and they have said we should cancel surgeries for safety reasons.
“I’m afraid for my staff. It’s them that have been up there, not me. It’s them that have had to field the calls.”
She added that fears had been heightened following the killing of fellow Labour MP Jo Cox.
Ms Eagle: “I think it’s also in the aftermath of what happened to Jo Cox. I am going to take their (police) advice this time, but people can still contact my office by phone and email.
“It’s with great reluctance that I’m doing this, but the safety of my staff is paramount.”
Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Kenwright, from Merseyside Police, said: “We have given Ms Eagle advice about her surgeries, at her request, but the decision to cancel surgeries is not a police matter and would lie entirely with them.”
During her short leadership campaign, a brick was thrown through the window of Ms Eagle’s constituency office, while one man was arrested in Scotland after making death threats towards her.
Earlier this week, the Wallasey constituency Labour Party was also suspended amid allegations of bullying and abuse.
The BBC reported that the CLP “has been suspended following complaints of bullying or intimidation” – preventing members from meeting under any circumstances until further notice.
Last month, Labour peer Baroness Jowell alleged that Ms Eagle had been on the receiving end of bullying and even homophobic comments from members of her CLP; though this was strongly denied by Momentum and local party members.
