John McDonnell rants against the Establishment after ex-MI6 boss questions Jeremy Corbyn’s suitability for PM
Mr McDonnell branded Sir Richard Dearlove a 'reactionary member of the Establishment' after the retired spook raised questions over the security risks of a Corbyn-led regime
SHADOW Chancellor John McDonnell launched an astonishing attack against a former top spy yesterday after he voiced fears over Jeremy Corbyn becoming PM.
A furious Mr McDonnell branded ex-MI6 boss Sir Richard Dearlove a “reactionary member of the Establishment”.
It followed an interview with the retired spook who raised questions over the security risks of a Corbyn-led regime in No10.
Quizzed on the remarks, Mr McDonnell attacked the role of the intelligence chief in the Iraq War of 2003.
In an emotional outburst, he hit back: “I think he should spend his retirement in quiet contemplation of the role that he played with regard to the Iraq War where over half a million people at least were killed.
“He was strongly criticised as the head of an organisation whose intelligence took us into that war so I think he should have a bit of humility about the judgements he makes about individuals and others in the future.”
It followed a Sky News broadcast where Sir Richard said he was “troubled” by some of the Labour leader’s “past associations”.
He said: “He’s enthusiastically associated himself with groups and interests which I would not say were the friends of the British nation.”
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Mr Corbyn has faced repeated scrutiny over historic support for IRA figures as well as connections to groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
Sir Richard added: “He may have abandoned them now, but I don’t think you can entirely dump your past.”
Mr McDonnell went on: “This is a reactionary member of the establishment - so I don’t think he’d welcome a Labour government of any sort to be frank.”
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