'Total breach of trust': Jeremy Corbyn accuses MP Dame Margaret Hodge of recording meeting
The Labour leader hit outs at Dame Margaret Hodge after she accused him of misleading her over antisemitism claims.
Wednesday 6 March 2019 15:30, UK
Jeremy Corbyn has accused one of his own MPs of a "total breach of trust" by allegedly recording a private meeting between them without his permission.
The Labour leader defended the party's handling of antisemitism claims, after Dame Margaret Hodge accused members of Mr Corbyn's inner circle of getting involved in cases.
She claimed that Mr Corbyn had either misled her or been misled himself about the extent of his team's interference in cases in order to reduce what sanctions were imposed.
Dame Margaret shared a letter she had written to the Labour leader on her Twitter page.
In his response, first reported by HuffPost, Mr Corbyn said a "very small group of staff" in his office were asked by Labour's governance and legal unit to help clear the backlog of cases.
Mr Corbyn said his staff complied with the request "in good faith", but insisted the final decision on sanctions remained with the GLU and there had never been any attempt to overrule them.
He also accused Dame Margaret of recording their meeting, despite an agreement it would be private.
Mr Corbyn said: "I was therefore extremely disappointed to learn on the (BBC Radio 4) Today programme that you have an audio recording of the meeting.
"Neither me nor my staff were informed that you intended to record the meeting, my permission was not sought, nor granted.
"I consider this to be a total breach of trust and privacy."
The existence of the recording was reported by one of the programme's correspondents and has not been denied by Dame Margaret.
Mr Corbyn said the help given by staff from his office occurred during the transition from former general secretary Iain McNicol to Jennie Formby.
"It would appear that during the transition period between Iain McNicol's departure and Jennie Formby taking over, a very small group of staff in the leader's office were approached by now former GLU staff members at head office, and were asked for help in clearing a backlog of cases," he said.
"This help included a clear request for advice on a small number of cases.
"In an act of good faith, staff in my office complied with this request in order to assist the party.
"The decision-making remained with staff members from GLU, and there was never any attempt to overrule them.
"As soon as Jennie Formby started as general secretary, this process was overhauled, and advice from LOTO (Leader of the Opposition's office) was no longer sought on individual cases."
The Labour leader also dismissed her criticism of the potential appointment of former justice secretary Lord Falconer.
"Regarding the likely appointment of Charlie Falconer, Jennie Formby has been in positive discussions with him and considers him an entirely appropriate figure," he said.
"I have received many communications welcoming him working on this issue with the party."
The row comes as the Jewish Labour Movement meets later to consider whether to end its 99-year affiliation with the party over what it thinks is a lack of action on antisemitism.
More than 100 MPs have signed a letter urging the group to stay.