UK: Jeremy Corbyn to take legal action against Nigel Farage over 'defamatory' antisemitism comment
Jeremy Corbyn said he had instructed lawyers to take legal action against Nigel Farage over remarks in which the right-wing commentator accused the former Labour party leader of subscribing to an antisemitic conspiracy theory.
On Wednesday, Farage took aim at Corbyn on his GB News show while hitting back at Corbyn’s successor as Labour leader, Keir Starmer.
Starmer had earlier claimed in parliament that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government was "dancing to the tune" of Farage, former leader of the UK Independence Party and Brexit party.
Farage then sought to discredit Starmer by noting that he served in Corbyn’s shadow cabinet until 2019, making disparaging remarks about the former Labour leader that his team said "accused Jeremy Corbyn of subscribing to an antisemitic conspiracy theory".
“I have asked my lawyers to take the first steps in commencing legal proceedings against Nigel Farage, following a highly defamatory statement about me,” Corbyn posted on X on Monday.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
“We are a movement for peace - and we cannot stand by and let these disgusting and malicious lies go unchallenged.”
“Our demonstrations for a ceasefire are made up of people of all ages, faiths and backgrounds, united in a desire to end human suffering. We continue to march because people continue to die - and we will not allow others to cynically and deliberately distort our calls for peace,” Corbyn said in a press release.
Middle East Eye has asked Nigel Farage for comment.
In 2018, Corbyn, who now sits as an independent, took legal action against Conservative MP Ben Bradley over an allegation he made on Twitter.
In response, Bradley apologised and agreed to make a donation to a homeless charity and a food bank.
Farage has hosted a show on the right-wing GB News channel since 2021.
A driving force behind Britain’s decision to leave the European Union in 2016, Farage has stepped away from frontline politics. However, he remains part of Reform UK, a right-wing party.
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.
