WATCH Jo Swinson slams Jeremy Corbyn as 'hopeless' for refusing to say he backs staying in the EU
3 min read
Jo Swinson slammed Jeremy Corbyn as “hopeless” for refusing to say if he backs staying in the EU.
The new Liberal Democrat leader blasted her Labour counterpart for “bottling it” after he said his priorities are "investment, jobs, trade and equality - both in or out of the EU".
Speaking to Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday, Mr Corbyn said if there was to be a no deal Brexit, Labour would campaign in a second referendum for Remain.
But if Labour was to win an election they would “re-open” talks with Brussels on negotiating a deal to leave.
Appearing on the same programme, Ms Swinson was asked what she made of Mr Corbyn’s comments, saying: “Well, I think he is pretty hopeless.
“And I think there are millions of people across the country who are crying out for leadership, for opposition to Boris Johnson and to Brexit, and they are not getting it from Jeremy Corbyn in his role as leader of the opposition.”
She added: “I mean, he didn't even say if he would oppose a Boris Brexit deal. He said ‘we will maybe see what he comes back with’, whether or not we are going to like Boris' Brexit.
“He has already failed the test of holding Boris to account by refusing to call no-confidence in his government. Jeremy Corbyn is bottling it. He can't make up his mind even now where he stands.”
Earlier Mr Corbyn had hinted Labour are preparing to push for a vote of no confidence in Boris Johnson’s Government when MPs return from their summer break in September.
He said “it's at that point we'll look at the situation" but said his party are prepared for a snap General Election, adding: "I've got my summer campaign plan in place.”
Asked if was worried about facing Mr Johnson at the polls, he said he was “not in the slightest” bothered by the prospect.
He was also grilled about the BBC’s Panorama programme into the way the anti-Semitism crisis in the party has been handled, which sparked a major row with the broadcaster.
Mr Corbyn said: "I was upset at the feelings of our former staff. I was upset at the way the programme was characterised and presented.
"I have been clear there is no place for anti-Semitism in our party."
He said Labour have submitted complaints about the programme, which aired earlier this month, but admitted some on the left can “cross the line” and veer into anti-Semitic tropes, which was why the party has sent out educational materials to try and combat it.
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