John McDonnell admits he ‘cries all the time’ as he brands Brexit Party a ‘stepping stone to the far right’
JOHN McDonnell admitted he "cries all the time" as he opened up over fears the Brexit Party is a "stepping stone to the far right".
And while the Shadow Chancellor revealed he is a "Remainer at heart" he insisted he would respect the Brexit vote.
The wide-ranging interview comes as the Brexit Party stormed to victory in the EU elections - smashing the Tories and Labour as they scooped nearly 31 per cent of the vote.
Millions of voters deserted the two main parties, with Nigel Farage vowing to take power in the next General Election.
But Mr McDonnell today revealed concerns over the party's meteoric rise.
The 67-year-old told : "The issue for me on the Brexit Party is not where the votes are going; it’s the nature of its politics.
"It gives a stepping stone for the far right and that’s very worrying. We had that politics in this area for a long time, with the BNP and the National Front. I wouldn’t want it to be inflicted on the rest of society."
The self-admitted Marxist - who won just 13.7 per cent of the EU election votes - said he was now hoping to prepare for victory in the next General Elections.
And while preparing a draft budget, he also revealed to the publication he would deliver on the Brexit vote.
He explained: "In my heart I’m a Remainer – I campaigned for Remain – but we have to respect the decision that was made."
'I CRY ALL THE TIME'
In the candid interview, Mr McDonnell revealed how he still considered himself "working class".
Now a dad of three and grandfather of five, he said he was "soft" when it came to parenting.
And his sentimental attitude has worked its way into his political career, with the career politician admitting : "I cry all the time."
He said he burst into tears when Jeremy Corbyn was shortlisted for the 2015 Labour leadership contest.
But Mr McDonnell said he was most affected by the stories of his constituents, having been the MP for the Hayes and Harlington constituency since the 1997 general election.
He revealed people had even attempted to take their own lives in his office after losing their benefits, saying: "You’d have a heart of stone if you weren’t moved by that.”
ON THE LEFT
Known as Corbyn's closest ally, Mr McDonnell revealed he was conscious of the problems faced by Labour, including concerns around anti-Semitism in the party.
He said he was frustrated the party hadn't moved fast enough over the issue.
Since Mr Corbyn became leader in 2015, he has been dogged by critics claiming the party harbours anti-Semitic activists and campaigners among its membership.
And this week Labour executive member Pete Willsman was suspended from the party after he was caught on camera blaming the party's anti-Semitism crisis on the Israeli embassy.
In a leaked recording obtained by LBC Radio, Mr Willsman said the storm in the party was "all lies" and claimed party staffers were "linked" to the Israeli embassy.
Earlier this week the Equality and Human Rights Commission said it had launched an investigation into whether the Labour party unlawfully discriminated against Jews.
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The party insists it has tightened up its procedures since Corbyn ally Jennie Formby took over as general secretary.
A spokesman for the EHRC said: "The Equality and Human Rights Commission is today launching a formal investigation to determine whether the Labour party has unlawfully discriminated against, harassed or victimised people because they are Jewish.
"We are pleased that the Labour party has committed to co-operate fully with this investigation."
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