Jeremy Corbyn condemns Clive Lewis ‘get on your knees b****’ comment as ‘completely unacceptable’

Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn has condemned comments made by his own MP, Clive Lewis
EPA
Patrick Grafton-Green21 October 2017
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Jeremy Corbyn has condemned a remark made by one of his own MPs as "completely unacceptable".

The Norwich South MP's comment has provoked widespread offence among Labour colleagues, while Mr Corbyn also faced calls from women and equalities minister Justine Greening to call them out.

On a visit to Norwich, the Labour leader told BBC Look East: "Completely wrong, should never have said it - completely unacceptable comments."

He added: "He's been in touch with me to apologise personally to me, and it's a message to everybody: this kind of language is not acceptable in any circumstances at any time."

Clive Lewis MP was blasted for making the 'inexcusable' and 'offensive' comment at a public event.
Getty Images

Asked if the comments pointed to misogyny within the party, he said: "It points to a bad remark he made in particular circumstances.

"I'm leading a party which has more women MPs than all the others put together, and we have more all-women shortlists for selections coming up."

Mr Lewis directed the comments at actor Sam Swann, the Independent reported.

Mr Swann told the newspaper the incident was "clearly jovial".

But the video of Mr Lewis drew criticism in Labour ranks, with former deputy party leader Harriet Harman tweeting: "Inexplicable. Inexcusable. Dismayed."

The chairwoman of the women's parliamentary Labour Party, Jess Phillips, also took to social media to express concern, tweeting: "Just seen the Clive Lewis video. Obviously I am appalled, just listened to 7 teenage girls speak up about gender inequality. Perhaps I'll bring them to work on Monday."

Former cabinet minister Yvette Cooper tweeted: "Agree w Jess. No excuse for saying this, whatever context."

Labour MP Stella Creasy branded the remarks unacceptable.

She tweeted: "It's not OK. Even if meant as a joke, reinforces menace that men have the physical power to force compliance."

The event was hosted by Novara Media on the last night of Momentum-backed festival The World Transformed.

Novara's Ash Sarkar, who compered the event, said she called for a volunteer to keep score in a game show section, and then asked him to kneel down so the cameras had a clear view of the stage.

"He made a little face, and then Clive jokingly said 'on your knees, bitch' to him. The joke was delivered in the spirit of campy humour."

Mr Lewis, who has previously been spoken of as a future Labour leader, quit the frontbench earlier this year when he rebelled against Mr Corbyn and voted against triggering Brexit negotiations.

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