Union boss Len McCluskey in war of words with Chuka Umunna over 'country club plotting' jibe
2 min read
Unite chief Len McCluskey has become embroiled in a fresh spat with Chuka Umunna after laying into the Labour MP at the party's conference.
The union general secretary accused Mr Umunna - a frequent critic of the Labour leadership - of "country club plotting".
The jibe appeared to be a reference to reports that Corbyn-sceptic MPs gathered at a £144-a-night rural estate in East Sussex over the summer to discuss changing the direction of the party.
Speaking from the stage at Labour's conference in Liverpool, Mr McCluskey said: "If the centre ground is fighting for a better deal for working people and protecting our communities, look no further.
"It’s right here in the Labour Party. So Chuka, drop the country club plotting. Listen to working people the length and breadth of the country. Get behind the party that made you."
Mr Umunna, who has previously clashed with the Unite boss over the party's handling of the row over anti-Semitism, shot back, accusing Mr McCluskey of trying to bully him "into silence".
He tweeted: "I've said it before and I'll say it again: I stand by what I've said on bullying and racism in the Labour Party and won't be bullied into silence by anyone, not least because my family have experienced racism too. Its non-negotiable. If Len McCluskey doesn't like that, tough."
The latest row with Mr Umunna comes after Labour MPs rounded on Mr McCluskey for his response to claims of anti-Jewish abuse in Labour.
Earlier this year, Mr McCluskey accused Jewish groups of showing “truculent hostility” towards Labour, and he has previously described the party’s anti-Semitism crisis as "mood music that was created by people who were trying to undermine" Jeremy Corbyn.
Speaking at a Jewish Labour Movement fringe meeting at the party's conference in Liverpool, MP Wes Streeting accused the Unite boss - whose union is Labour's biggest financial backer - of creating “the conditions in which anti-Semitism can be allowed to fester".
He said: "You know Len, when Jeremy Corbyn says there is a problem with anti-Semitism in the Labour party maybe it’s time you got behind our leader and resolved to do something about it."
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