Labour MP accuses Jeremy Corbyn aides of entering her office without permission

Hannah Al-Othman25 July 2016
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A Labour MP has lodged a formal complaint against aides to Jeremy Corbyn and shadow chancellor John McDonnell after they allegedly entered her House of Commons office without permission.

Seema Malhotra said the action constituted a "breach of parliamentary privilege" and made a formal complaint to Commons Speaker John Bercow.

In a statement to The Observer, Ms Malhotra - who quit the shadow cabinet last month in protest at Mr Corbyn's leadership and is now backing the challenger Owen Smith - said her staff felt "harassed, intimidated and insecure" as a result of what had happened.

A spokesman for Mr Corbyn played down the incident and said that claims of intimidation were "untrue".

The latest incident comes against repeated claims that critics of the Labour leader - particularly women MPs - have faced threats, bullying and abuse if they speak out.

'Intimidated': The complaint has been made against aides of Jeremy Corbyn with shadow Chancellor John McDonnell
Toby Melville/Reuters

In her statement, Ms Malhotra said: "I have discovered that members of staff working for John McDonnell and Jeremy Corbyn have gained unauthorised entry into my office in parliament.

"The implications of this are extremely serious. This is a breach of parliamentary privilege and is a violation of the privacy, security and confidentiality of a member of parliament's office.

"Furthermore, my staff, including an intern, who have always been courteous and open, have felt harassed, intimidated and insecure and decided themselves it would be best to not leave anyone alone in the office.

"I have made a formal complaint to the Speaker of the Commons and to Jeremy Corbyn MP, and requested an investigation into how this could have happened."

Formal complaint: Seema Malhotra said her office was entered without permission
Getty

In her letter to Mr Bercow, quoted by The Observer, Ms Malhotra names Mr Corbyn's office manager, Karie Murphy, as one of the aides involved, and accuses her of being "aggressive and intimidating" towards the staff involved.

Following her comments, Shadow chancellor John McDonnell today lashed out at opponents of Jeremy Corbyn, accusing them of trying to "destroy" the Labour Party in order to get rid of their leader.

Mr McDonnell said there was a "small group" within the party responsible for the current turmoil.

Speaking on the BBC's The Andrew Marr Show, Mr McDonnell challenged critics of the leadership to confront them directly and not to "pick on" staff who were not in a position to defend themselves.

"We have got to stop this now. There is a small group out there that are willing to destroy our party just to remove Jeremy Corbyn. We have got to stop them," he said.

"If you want to come for me and Jeremy that's up to you, but don't pick on staff who can't defend themselves."

A spokesman for Mr Corbyn said: "The accusation that Karie intimidated anyone is untrue.

"As an office manager on the Leader of the Opposition's floor, Karie has a key to open all offices. She accessed the office in question to confirm when it would be vacated.

"It is a month since Seema Malhotra resigned as shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, and the office is intended for the person holding that position."

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