
"A spokesperson for Labour said it had made the decision "following complaints we have received about your conduct." "We have a responsibility to safeguard all our delegates, staff, volunteers, and visitors, and to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for everyone at conference," the email continues. "After careful consideration, we've concluded that we cannot continue your attendance while ensuring we meet our safeguarding obligations to all attendees.""
"Jones said he had been questioning Cabinet members and MPs about the arms licensing deals between the UK and Israel as part of his annual video series confronting politicians at party conferences. Since 2015, the UK has licensed at least £500 million worth of military exports to Israel, including military drones and vehicles. According to Oxfam, the UK provides approximately 15 per cent of the components in F-35 fighter jets, which are used in airstrikes in Palestinian territories."
"Jones said that suggesting his attempts to interview Party members were a "safeguarding issue" is, he argued, "clearly insane." The email did not delve into the specifics of the complaints, nor did it cite specific conduct by Jones for the decision. "I've been filming videos at Labour and Tory Conference for a decade now," Jones wrote. "This involves trying to get ministers to answer questions which - unfortunately! - most media outlets refuse to ask."
The Labour Party revoked Owen Jones's conference pass with immediate effect, citing safeguarding obligations and complaints about his conduct. A party spokesperson said they must safeguard delegates, staff, volunteers and visitors and maintain a safe, welcoming environment. The email stated Jones's attendance could not continue while meeting safeguarding obligations. Jones said he had been questioning Cabinet members and MPs about UK–Israel arms licensing as part of his annual video series. Since 2015 the UK licensed at least £500 million in military exports to Israel, including drones and vehicles, and Oxfam says the UK supplies about 15% of F‑35 components used in airstrikes. Jones called the characterization of his interviews as a safeguarding issue "clearly insane."
Read at PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]