Independent Media | Campaigning Journalism
The home secretary faces libel calls after exploiting the Holocaust to smear Jeremy Corbyn
The home secretary apparently exploited the Holocaust to smear Jeremy Corbyn on 19 July.
Sajid Javid seemed to suggest that the Labour leader denies the Holocaust. This has led to calls for libel action against Javid for making the entirely unsubstantiated claim.
Next level smear
Javid began by smearing Corbyn as having a “problem with Jews”. Then, Twitter user ‘Muhammad Shahab’ seemed to question whether the Holocaust happened:
But Javid didn’t shut down Shahab personally for holding such abhorrent beliefs. The MP for Bromsgrove appeared to suggest that he holds such an opinion because of Corbyn:
Continue reading below...
How can you even question the Holocaust. Please think carefully about what you are saying. Don’t be misled by Corbyn.
— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) July 19, 2018
Javid seems to imply that Shahab questions the Holocaust because Corbyn “misled” him. In turn, that suggests that Corbyn himself is a Holocaust denier, if he is directly ‘misleading’ people to question the Holocaust as Javid claims.
“Libel”
Senior Labour MP Clive Lewis told Javid to withdraw the comment and apologise:
.@sajidjavid are you seriously accusing @jeremycorbyn of being a Holocaust denier? Seriously I’d apologise, detract and wind your neck in. And whilst your at it launch an investigation into Islamophobia in your own sorry excuse for a political party https://t.co/BaQnrugTY2
— Clive Lewis (@labourlewis) July 19, 2018
And the home secretary’s tweet has sparked condemnation on social media, along with claims that it was potentially libellous:
I think this is libel Sajid
— paul (@ptfen) July 19, 2018
What the hell are you talking about, you can't use someone else's words to point score, you know very well that @jeremycorbyn is no anti semite, I think you should clean you're own Islamophobic and Anti-Semetic sewer before starting to complain about @UKLabour.
— Preston Anti Racist. (@VictorK43995989) July 19, 2018
That's a low reply. To a low tweet. God help us if this is what politics is all about now.
— Ian Anders (@anders_ian) July 19, 2018
So now Sajid Javid is accusing @jeremycorbyn of encouraging Holocaust denial. This is a sick allegation. Is there no limit to the level they will lower themselves to in their attempts to smear him? I suggest Corbyn gets in touch with his lawyers asap. https://t.co/2AFumpK2oe
— anita K #GTTO (@a_nitak) July 19, 2018
Conservative MP embarrassed
Others recalled the libellous claim that Conservative MP Ben Bradley made about Corbyn in February. The Labour leader won damages after Bradley accused him of selling “British secrets to communist spies”. Corbyn then donated the money to Bradley’s local foodbank and a homeless charity:
I think a foodbank in Sajid’s constituency is about to get a pretty sizeable donation…
— rob (@allthatishorrid) July 19, 2018
At the time, Bradley was forced to apologise with probably the most retweeted post from a Conservative MP:
https://twitter.com/bbradleymp/status/967526680188375040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E967526680188375040&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.co.uk%2Fentry%2Fjeremy-corbyn-ben-bradley-apology_uk_5a916afbe4b0ee6416a3a63f
The actual reality
Many people pointed to the action the Labour leader has taken against antisemitism, as opposed to the words of Javid:
Number Of Parliamentary Early Day Motions Signed to Commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day & to Condemn Anti-Semitism:
Jeremy Cornyn: 38
Sajid Javid: 0Don't be misled by Javid. https://t.co/sdLUGT0cXu
— Matt Thomas #GTTO (@Trickyjabs) July 19, 2018
This video from Corbyn supporters details some of those motions:
You know Labour are doing well when the smears start! Desperate stuff from the usual suspects in the PLP. The truth👇🏻pic.twitter.com/gpWXHE8uvH
— andyPsearson 🌹 (@andysearson) July 18, 2018
At the time of publication, Javid hasn’t responded to social media allegations that he libelled Corbyn.
The home secretary should hang his head in shame.
Get Involved!
– Check out Jewish Voice for Peace and Jewish Voice for Labour.
Featured image via Find a Future/ Flickr and Novara Media/ WikiCommons
Since you're here ...
We know you don't need a lecture. You wouldn't be here if you didn't care.
Now, more than ever, we need your help to challenge the rightwing press and hold power to account. Please help us survive and thrive.
Support