Corbyn stands by Morning Star after Syria row (original) (raw)

Jeremy Corbyn has backed the revolutionary left-wing Morning Star newspaper despite a headline claiming that Aleppo was being “liberated”.

The Labour leader insisted he would not stop buying the publication despite an outcry over its stance on Syria.

Mr Corbyn said he disagreed with the front page headline that stated: “Final liberation of Aleppo is in sight”, but would continue to read the newspaper.

The article was part of a broader editorial stance that has been hostile to Syrian rebels, many of whom the newspaper views as terrorists, and by extension supportive of the Russian and Syrian government position. The Morning Star extensively reports President Putin’s foreign policy positions.

“I did not agree with it at all,” Mr Corbyn said while visiting a Centrepoint homeless hostel in south London. “My view is, and always has been, and always will be, there has to be a political settlement in Syria.”

Asked if he would cancel his subscription, Mr Corbyn said: “Listen, I buy lots of newspapers. I frequently disagree profoundly with headlines, even in The Guardian, the Telegraph, the Mail, and so on. Does it mean I won’t buy them, or read them? Of course not.

“I disagree with that statement. I have written for, and no doubt will probably write again for the Morning Star at various points in the future.”

The Morning Star claimed Aleppo was being liberated by Syrian government forces

The Morning Star claimed Aleppo was being liberated by Syrian government forces

In an editorial on Tuesday, the Morning Star wrote: “Treating the murderous religious extremists who have occupied east Aleppo for four years as heroes is distorting the reality of this terrible war. MPs seeking a reprise of David Cameron’s failed 2013 bid to go to war in Syria must not be allowed to turn the clock back.

“The deeply misguided debate in the Commons yesterday was matched by a fog of misinformation being pumped out by Isis and al-Qaida’s useful idiots in the Establishment media. The insurgents being driven from east Aleppo after a four-year occupation are still being lionised as freedom fighters in the press and parliament. Their defeat by the Syrian army is being treated as a tragedy. They are not and it is not.”

The Morning Star regularly reflects Mr Putin’s positions. Its outlook revolves around criticism of US foreign policy. Although often warm towards President Obama, it described Hillary Clinton as being “so firmly in the ‘stupid-s*** caucus’ on foreign affairs”. The UN has warned that women and children are among those who have been targeted in planned massacres as regime forces retake control of Aleppo.

Mr Corbyn defended his opposition to military action in Syria. “There has to be a ceasefire,” he said. “This is a terrible, terrible situation, there has to be a political settlement.”

Labour strategists revealed a plan yesterday to improve Mr Corbyn’s poll ratings by relaunching him as a leftwing populist. According to The Guardian the attempt will begin in the new year with new policies and more TV appearances. Labour under Mr Corbyn has recorded some of its worst ratings in opposition since 1983, when it suffered a humiliating defeat.