Jeremy Corbyn demands apology and donation to charity from Tory MP who said he 'sold British secrets to spies'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jeremy Corbyn has demanded an apology and a donation to charity from a Conservative MP who falsely claimed he “sold British secrets to communist spies”.
Ben Bradley, a Tory party vice-chairman, tweeted the accusation, later deleting it after the Labour leader threatened him with legal action.
Now Mr Corbyn has gone further, telling Mr Bradley that “serious harm has been caused by your libellous statement” and demanding the apology, on Twitter, “in terms to be agreed with us”.
A letter sent to the Mansfield MP also says he must “agree to pay a sum of money direct to a charity of our client’s choice, in lieu of damages payable to our client for the injury you have caused to his reputation”.
It adds: “We invite your proposals by return with regard to the amount that you will pay which we would expect to be substantial, as our client’s attitude towards the level of payment will take into account the speed with which you make sensible proposals or not.”
The controversy blew up when newspaper reports said files in Czech archives appeared to show Mr Corbyn had met with a Czechoslovakian agent at least three times in 1986 and 1987.
Mr Bradley referred to the reports during an interaction with another Twitter user, saying: “Corbyn sold British secrets to communist spies.”
In the legal letter, the Labour leader states that he “does not seek any personal financial benefit from this litigation”
It says: “If you force him to issue proceedings and recover substantial damages through the courts he will donate the damages to a charity of his choice.”
Mr Bradley is also told that he must pay Mr Corbyn’s legal costs – and told that “legal proceedings” will follow, if he fails to agree to the apology and charitable donation.
“If proceedings are commenced legal costs payable by you will increase significantly, especially if the matter proceeds to a full trial,” the letter reads.
And it adds: “Any failure by you to respond swiftly will undoubtedly mean that our client’s legal costs will increase significantly.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments