Labour veteran Dennis Skinner, 85, branded a ‘scab’ by Jeremy Corbyn supporters for backing Theresa May’s Brexit Bill
Seven Labour backbenchers supported the Government in Monday's vote
LABOUR veteran Dennis Skinner was branded a scab by Jeremy Corbyn supporters for backing Theresa May’s Brexit Bill.
The ex coal miner, 85, was one of seven Labour MPs to defy his leader.
He voted with the Conservatives to support legislation that aims to copy EU law into UK law so Brexit can take place.
In the EU poll, Mr Skinner, known as the Beast of Bolsover for his attacks on the Tories, voted with most of his constituents to leave.
Mr Corbyn’s supporters flooded social media to attack Mr Skinner.
One wrote: “He’s earned the name ‘scab of Bolsover’.”
Frank Field and Kate Hoey were among other Labour MPs backing the Bill which passed by 326 votes to 290.
Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer called the result “deeply disappointing”.
Dennis Skinner has been a vocal supporter of Jeremy Corbyn through the Labour leader’s two year reign.
But he voted in favour of leaving the EU along with most of his constituents in the 2016 Referendum.
Speaking last year he said he voted Brexit because of his concerns about the future of the NHS and a need to clamp down on capitalism.
At the time, he told the Morning Star: “In the old days they could argue you might get a socialist government in Germany, but there’s not been one for donkey’s years.
“At one time there was Italy, the Benelux countries, France and Germany, Portugal, Spain and us.
“Now there’s just one in France and it’s hanging on by the skin of its teeth.”
Other Labour MPs backing the Government included Ronnie Campbell, Kelvin Hopkins, John Mann and Graham Stringer.
