Corbyn in the Times / Crime from Times Past Profile picture
A bit of politics. Criminal history from 1680-1980. Via the prism of newspapers (esp Times), court transcripts, maps etc

Aug 18, 2019, 12 tweets

This short article (unknown source, circa 83) is bursting with information on Corbyn's early days:

'Chief purveyor of fashionable causes to the Party's "pollytelligentsia."'

'He combines the roles of feudal baron & social worker recruiting dependents at every opportunity.' 1/11

'Naturally he is detested by the old guard of the Labour left which includes neighbouring MPs Norman Atkinson (deselected & replaced by Corbyn's mate Bernie Grant) & Ernie Roberts (deselected for being old, white & male, & replaced by Corbyn's ex-lover Diane Abbott).' 2/11

'He was chairman of Haringey's public works committee dealing with direct labour at the same time as being a full-time NUPE official in the next-door council. Corbyn did NOT declare an interest but instead used council stationary for his union correspondence.' 3/11

At the time:
'His identification with public employees dispute during the the "winter of discontent" led angry north London resident to dump refuse outside the party's offices in Hornsey.' [Guardian 26 Feb 1982, p.2] 4/11

'Most of his union time, however, was devoted to the problems of Hornsey Labour party. He deified attempts by Labour's NEC to prevent Tariq Ali (a revolutionary Marxist & friend of Corbyn) from joining the local party.' 5/11

See this thread:

THIS 👇
'As agent for "Red" Ted Knight at the 1979 general election, he landed up in court over failing to declare some election expenses'

I have been unable to find any more about this, has anyone else? 6/11

Corbyn was a founder of "Labour against the Witchhunt" which urged soft treatment of the (Marxist entryists into Labour) Militant Tendency. See this thread:

As well as inviting his 'fellow beardy' Gerry to Westminster. 7/11

'Indeed he was selected for Islington North, the second largest Irish constituency in London, largely because of his Fenian credentials.

They did this by forcing out a working-class IRISH Labour MP Michael O'Halloran (thread coming). 8/11

'Labour whips have flailed him recently for his poor attendance at Standing Committee meetings'

'He also neglected to attend a meeting of his beloved Turkish solidarity group, although the room had been booked in his name & he was down as chairman'. 9/11

In the last few weeks Corbyn has been described as one of the scruffiest MPs in the House (he proudly sports a sweater knitted by his mother). 10/11

Finally, who knew Corbyn had a paramour in the country? How bourgeoisie.

Of course Corbyn got somebody else to pay his lovers bills. 11/11

Thanks to @220_d_92_20, @AlexTheGuiri & others who have clarified the source as Private Eye (#581, 23 Mar 1984).

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