Corbyn drives party potty with TV comedy sketch (original) (raw)

Jeremy Corbyn has angered colleagues by donning a dinner jacket and a fake fur coat for a television comedy programme in which the Labour leader said he was only “7 to 7½” out of 10 in favour of staying in the European Union.

Corbyn’s appearance on Channel 4’s The Last Leg came on Friday night as an ORB opinion poll gave Brexit a 10-point lead.

Corbyn’s decision to wear “fancy dress” was described as “ridiculous” by one MP, who added that it provided “further proof that the man is just not serious”.

Concern that Corbyn has failed to give wholehearted support to the “remain” campaign, despite putting his party on a war footing, has angered some colleagues.

“There is naked fury. How can you order your troops to work round the clock for a month or two and then swan around in furs and a tux saying things like that? He is like a general from [the TV comedy] Blackadder,” said one Labour source.

Corbyn has invited further criticism this weekend by campaigning for the “remain” campaign in Scotland, where voters are already overwhelmingly in favour of the EU.

This weekend Corbyn told The Sunday Times it was vital for everyone who supported the EU — and in particular the young — to vote. “This referendum is about some of the most important issues facing our country this century,”he said.

“We can only address them if we co-operate and work closely with other countries on our continent — to crack down on corporate tax dodging, tackle climate change and pollution, strengthen workers’ rights and job security across Europe and address the refugee crisis.”

During the Last Leg show Corbyn arrived in a white Bentley with a number plate reading “Cor blimey”.

Leader of Britain's Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn (R) sings with John Bercow, as London Mayor Sadiq Khan stands behind them during a service of thanksgiving to mark the 90th birthday of Britain's Queen Elizabeth at St Paul's Cathedral in London

Some colleagues say Corbyn has not wholeheartedly backed the ‘remain’ campaign

IAN VOGLERREUTERS

When asked by a viewer why he was on a comedy programme if he has no sense of humour, he replied: “I’ve got to keep it quiet. I’ve got to hide it, you see. I’ve always enjoyed Basil Fawlty in the past.”

A Labour spokesman said Corbyn’s appearance — which brought back memories for some of an embarrassing interview by the comedian Russell Brand with Corbyn’s predecessor, Ed Miliband, during last year’s election campaign — could help the party. “It [the programme] reaches a lot of young people,” the spokesman said.

Labour MPs fear another potential own goal this week when John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, addresses a “refugees welcome” rally, part of a “convoy for Calais” organised by trade unions and hard left groups.