Exactly a week ago, I was physically carried - while clutching my ticket - out of a hotel holding a publicly advertised meeting organised by someone hoping to be my MP (Jenny Manson) and headlined by someone hoping to be the UK's next Chancellor (@johnmcdonnellmp). A THREAD...
Like 10s of people, my ticket was cancelled -24hrs before. Apparently, for me, it was because I did not have "media accreditation". Others claimed it was because they had "Jewish-sounding names". I wanted to go as a constituent but because I happen to work in media, I was banned.
I emailed at 6.18 that morning to explain I wanted to go in personal capacity, but that if the only way I could attend was with "media accreditation", then please could it be provided (press were attending in any case, and I always have my press card in my wallet). I was ignored.
After uproar, it was reported that journalists' tickets - incl @JewishChron and @JewishNewsUK - had been reinstated. So I went. My name was on list, with "CANCELLED" next to it. No-one would give me a reason. When I asked, security manhandled me out, under organisers' orders,
A few minutes later, I went back into lobby of hotel seeking an explanation. I spoke to Ms Manson's daughter, who was very friendly and told me to wait where I was while she enquired. At the same time, I was chatting to @JewishChron reporter @BenWeich.
Seconds later, security were told by another organiser to take me out. I told them I was waiting patiently and politely where I was (a few steps into the lobby), as I had been instructed, for Ms Manson's daughter to return.
No matter. Organisers oversaw as 1 security man stood on each side of me and lifted me off the floor before carrying me out of the building. Meanwhile, 1 organiser said ticket had been "rescinded by Labour Party".
(@Labourpress have since told me it has nothing to do with them.)
(@Labourpress have since told me it has nothing to do with them.)
This has been reported in @pressgazette, @JewishChron and @JewishNewsUK and yet neither Ms Manson, nor @johnmcdonnellMP or anyone from the organising team got in touch to apologise/explain.
I emailed Ms Manson personally with a detailed complaint. I told her: "As a potential parliamentary candidate, I would expect you to take personal responsibility for the organisation of your event and the actions taken in your name."
She did not even respond personally to my email. I got a response instead from the man who had cancelled my ticket. There was not the slightest hint of contrition, but there were some quite extraordinary arguments.
Thread continues here:
