Labour admits party staff are in danger of suffering violent attacks and threatening abuse – at its own conference this weekend
Staggering memo from party HQ tells workers how to cope with 'aggressive' situations at Liverpool gathering
THE LABOUR party has admitted staff are in danger of suffering violent attacks and threatening abuse – at its own conference this weekend.
A staggering memo from party HQ tells workers how to cope with “aggressive and potentially violent” situations at this weekend’s gathering in Liverpool.
Insiders claim the unprecedented advice – includes an emergency hotline – shows just how toxic tensions are in Labour as the party teeters on the brink of a devastating split.
The Sun revealed two days ago how moderate Labour MPs such as Ruth Smeeth are taking minders to the conference at the Echo Arena because they fear they’ll be attacked by Corbynistas.
In the advice circulated late last night, Labour says: “We know some of you have concerns over facing aggressive or potentially violent behaviour and we wanted to inform you of what to do if you feel anyone is acting in this manner towards you.”
Labour HQ insist it’s understandable “people can become angry when they feel matters about which they feel strongly are not being dealt with as they wish”.
But it reassures staff that aggression is “completely unacceptable”.
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It sets out the definitions of physical assault and non-physical assault and who to contact so security officials can throw the individual out of the conference venue.
It adds: “If you feel someone is acting inappropriately towards you firstly, remove yourself from the situation; do not engage in the conversation or person’s actions....[Managers] will then assess whether the individual should be removed from conference and if so, inform security to do so.”
Jeremy Corbyn has repeatedly condemned abuse during the leadership contest with Owen Smith.
But moderates insist he is doing nothing to stamp it out.
The arch leftie is widely expected to be crowned leader again when the announcement is made on Saturday.