Politics

Corbyn reacts to ‘appalling’ and ‘defamatory’ mental health slur

Jeremy Corbyn has hit back after a Labour frontbencher was overheard calling him “senile” in the House of Commons.

Shadow health secretary, Wes Streeting was heard uttering the slur after Corbyn tried to interject following Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.

Rishi Sunak has repeatedly used Labour leader Sir Keir’s support for Corbyn’s leadership as an attack line during PMQs.

And this week was no different.

Corbyn has previously responded by saying he’s living “rent-free” in the PM’s head, criticising Sunak for giving a “wholly inaccurate representation” of his 2019 agenda.

Responding to Streeting’s comment, Corbyn said: “there’s nothing “in-jest” about calling somebody senile” but added that he’d accepted an apology.

He said: “Today, following a request to make a Point of Order, I was subjected to an appalling and defamatory mental health slur in the Chamber.

“I have now received an apology, and I have noted it. As I said in my reply, there’s nothing “in-jest” about calling somebody senile. It’s not funny. It’s very serious for people suffering from dementia. He should know this as Shadow Health Secretary.

“The right thing for somebody in his position to do would be to issue a public apology to all those who may have been hurt by his comments.”

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Jack Peat

Jack is a business and economics journalist and the founder of The London Economic (TLE). He has contributed articles to VICE, Huffington Post and Independent and is a published author. Jack read History at the University of Wales, Bangor and has a Masters in Journalism from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

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