Angela Eagle subjected to ‘homophobic abuse’ from Jeremy Corbyn supporters
The out Labour MP has allegedly faced ‘harassment’ and ‘intimidation’ since announcing her plans to stand against the party’s current leader.
Angela Eagle has been subjected to “homophobic abuse” since resigning from the Shadow cabinet and revealing her plans to challenge current leader Jeremy Corbyn, according to a senior Labour politician.
Speaking on Daily Politics earlier today, Baroness Tessa Jowell said members of Labour’s Parliamentary Party had been subjected to “intimidation, abuse and fear” in the wake of a vote of no confidence in Mr Corbyn last week.
Her comments came during a debate with pro-Corbyn NEC candidate Rhea Wolfson, after the former London Mayoral candidate said many MPs and their staff are “coming to work everyday fearing the threat of intimidation and worse”.
Ms Wolfson argued that the PLP are out of touch with Labour party members, who she says are “upset and devastated” by the challenge to Mr Corbyn.
“Clearly the PLP are not listening to all their members,” Ms Wolfson added, before using Ms Eagle as an example.
“Angela Eagle – if you look at her constituency – her local constituency passed a motion in support of Jeremy Corbyn.”
However, Baroness Jowell claimed that Ms Eagle had suffered anti-gay abuse from members of the left-wing, pro-Corbyn group Momentum at the meeting in Wallasey – who she says do not represent the majority of Labour party supporters.
“I spoke to Angela about her meeting,” she said. “She faced homophobic abuse at that meeting.
“Talk to MPs all around the country, under the influence of Momentum, activists, members of parliament and their staff are facing day in, day out harassment and – in some cases – intimidation.”
PinkNews has reached out to Ms Eagle’s office regarding Baroness Jowell’s claims, but is yet to receive a response.
The former Shadow Business Secretary yesterday promised to announce her run for leadership “if Jeremy doesn’t take action soon”.
Rumours of Ms Eagle replacing Mr Corbyn first circulated in April, after frontbenchers and donors said that they see her as a viable replacement for Mr Corbyn, claiming she could unite the party in the event of a Labour civil war.
Just last month, she told PinkNews that she would happily stand as leader of the party.
