Jeremy Corbyn in fresh row over hiring Sinn Fein staffer to work in his leader’s office
The Labour leader is set to hire Jayne Fisher, but MPs are angry that the move will remind voters of his support for the left-wing party
JEREMY Corbyn has sparked a row by hiring a former Sinn Fein member to work in his office.
Jayne Fisher, previously the head of the party's London office, is understood to be joining the Labour leader's team in the new year.
But MPs have acted furiously to the news and said the move will remind voters of Mr Corbyn's hard-left positions.
One told the Evening Standard: "It is another stupid move that is going to cause the most ridiculous amount of negative headlines for no gain."
50-year-old Ms Fisher, who describes herself on Twitter as a "London based socialist" has recently deleted all of her old tweets, with messages only showing from the beginning of December.
She said that "the left in Britain should do far more in solidarity with Ireland’s right to unity and self determination.
"It should be in an alliance with parties like Sinn Féin in support of that, and in opposition to austerity and the cuts.
"But unlike Ireland, Britain doesn’t have a party like Sinn Féin. More’s the pity."
Sinn Fein have four MPs in Westminster but none of them can take up their seats in the House of Commons as they refuse to pledge allegiance to the Queen.
Then-MP Mr Corbyn caused outrage in the weeks after the Brighton bombing by inviting members of Sinn Fein to the Commons for talks.
He was also spotted last year in Parliament with Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and Ms Fisher.
A spokesperson for the Labour Party said: "We do not comment on staffing matters."