Salford MP Rebecca Long-Bailey has been sacked as shadow education secretary

25th June 2020

Categories: News

Tags: education secretary, rebecca long-bailey, sacked

Leader of the Labour Sir Keir Starmer has sacked Rebecca Long-Bailey this afternoon after she shared an article on social media containing an “anti-Semitic conspiracy theory”.

Ms Long-Bailey was serving as the Shadow Education Secretary and has been the Labour MP for Salford and Eccles since 2015.

She had retweeted an interview with actor and Labour supporter Maxine Peake earlier today, but had later denied on Twitter to be endorsing such aspect of the article.

I retweeted Maxine Peake’s article because of her significant achievements and because the thrust of her argument is to stay in the Labour Party. It wasn’t intended to be an endorsement of all aspects of the article. https://t.co/3k6P3hcCgJ
— Rebecca Long-Bailey (@RLong_Bailey) June 25, 2020

A spokesperson for the Labour leader said in a statement: “This afternoon Keir Starmer asked Rebecca Long-Bailey to step down from the shadow cabinet.”

“The article Rebecca shared earlier today contained an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory.”

“As leader of the Labour Party, Keir has been clear that restoring trust with the Jewish community is a number one priority.”

Anti-Semitism takes many different forms and it is important that we all are vigilant against it.”

Ms Long-Bailey has taken to Twitter this afternoon to respond in a series of tweets:

https://t.co/XyTPHR40Qd I retweeted an interview that my constituent and stalwart Labour Party supporter Maxine Peake gave to the Independent. Its main thrust was anger with the Conservative Government’s handling of the current emergency and a call for Labour Party unity.

— Rebecca Long-Bailey (@RLong_Bailey) June 25, 2020

https://t.co/83kCSyj9FG no way was my retweet an intention to endorse every part of that article.
— Rebecca Long-Bailey (@RLong_Bailey) June 25, 2020

5.I could not do this in good conscience without the issuing of a press statement of clarification. I had asked to discuss these matters with Keir before agreeing what further action to take, but sadly he had already made his decision.
— Rebecca Long-Bailey (@RLong_Bailey) June 25, 2020

7.I am clear that I shall continue to support the Labour Party in Parliament under Keir Starmer’s leadership, to represent the people of Salford and Eccles and work towards a more equal, peaceful and sustainable world.
— Rebecca Long-Bailey (@RLong_Bailey) June 25, 2020

More to follow.