Corbyn: "Together with Ken Livingstone & others we built up regular contact with Sinn Fein [IRA's political wing], we were condemned by our own party leadership for so doing, condemned by many people for so doing."
Let's take a look at a few of the condemnations. 1/12
Let's take a look at a few of the condemnations. 1/12
The first Labour leader to condemn Corbyn & Livingstone (& John McDonnell) was Michael Foot back in 1982 when they invited Adams, McGuiness & Morrison to meet them in London in the middle of an IRA terror campaign in 1982. 2 
In 1984 Corbyn was again condemned after inviting 2 convicted IRA terrorist to Parliament, just days after they murdered 5 people at Brighton.
Neil Kinnock accused Corbyn of acting "stupidly"
The chief whip said he was "indifferent to the outrage, the suffering and the killing"
Neil Kinnock accused Corbyn of acting "stupidly"
The chief whip said he was "indifferent to the outrage, the suffering and the killing"
The Guardian condemned Corbyn.
'continue his sordid infatuation with the Provisional IRA'
'It was a very stupid political'
'spare his Party this embarrassment &... to have used his influence to denounce the IRA. 4
'continue his sordid infatuation with the Provisional IRA'
'It was a very stupid political'
'spare his Party this embarrassment &... to have used his influence to denounce the IRA. 4
The Times condemned Corbyn:
'Anyone who shares this moral sensibility of the vast majority of British citizens will despise & condemn that action of Mr Jeremy Corbyn.' 5
'Anyone who shares this moral sensibility of the vast majority of British citizens will despise & condemn that action of Mr Jeremy Corbyn.' 5
The Unionists condemned Corbyn
'That lunatic fringe is typified by the likes of the hon. Member of Islington, North, who can mock those who have been killed & injured at the hands of terrorists' 6
'That lunatic fringe is typified by the likes of the hon. Member of Islington, North, who can mock those who have been killed & injured at the hands of terrorists' 6
Corbyn was condemned again in 1989 after inviting the IRA/SF to the Labour conference days after they had murdered 11 marines at their barracks in Deal.
The Labour campaign for Peace in Ireland demanded that he be expelled from the Party. 7
The Labour campaign for Peace in Ireland demanded that he be expelled from the Party. 7
After meeting the IRA/SF again in 1994, the Guardian warned Gerry Adams off Corbyn.
'if he's a canny about the image he wants to project in Britain, he won't accept too many invitations from Tony Benn & Jeremy Corbyn.' 8
'if he's a canny about the image he wants to project in Britain, he won't accept too many invitations from Tony Benn & Jeremy Corbyn.' 8
In 1996, the IRA smashed ceasefire & started a truck bombing campaign, Corbyn again invited the IRA/SF to the Commons.
Prime Minister Blair called his behaviour "reprehensible"
"I condemn this event without reservation & totally dissociate the Labour Party from it". 9
Prime Minister Blair called his behaviour "reprehensible"
"I condemn this event without reservation & totally dissociate the Labour Party from it". 9
Mo Mowlam called Corbyn's actions at the time "offensive" and said that Blair's condemnation was "timely". 10
The Labour chief whip said "The Labour Party is not involved or associated in any way. We utterly condemn his proposed action." 11
Finally, the Guardian again condemned Corbyn:
'Corbyns abiding qualities: his lack of wider political and moral judgement../ his insensitivity to the feelings of most Londoners.'
'Mr Corbyn is a fool, and fool whom the Labour Party would be better off without.' 12/12
'Corbyns abiding qualities: his lack of wider political and moral judgement../ his insensitivity to the feelings of most Londoners.'
'Mr Corbyn is a fool, and fool whom the Labour Party would be better off without.' 12/12
