In June, Rebecca Long-Bailey retweeted an interview in which Maxine Peake made comments that some felt were antisemitic.

Maxine Peake apologised and withdrew the interview.

RLB was instructed to delete her post from social media, but refused.

As a result of refusing to follow instructions from the office of LOTO, she was sacked from her cabinet post.

All of this was widely reported. A couple of links below.

Why do I bring it up now?

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jun/28/starmers-sacking-of-long-bailey-was-vital-to-show-that-labour-is-changing

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53183085

How likely is it that Corbyn had no knowledge of how RLB, his protégé and close political ally, had been punished for refusing to toe the line on antisemitism?

Not likely at all.

It is infinitely more likely that he knew exactly what happened before, and did it anyway.

You could argue that his actions show a principled stand and a total disregard for his own fate.

You could also argue his actions show a total disregard for the EHRC and the unity of the Labour Party

But you can't argue that he didn't know what would probably happen.

And if he knew what would happen, that means he chose to avoid all other paths. Talking to the NEC before acting. Meeting with Starmer or the Chief Whip to avoid this incident. Or simply changing his statement to avoid the risk of offence.

He did none of those things.

For the purposes of this thread it doesn't matter if he's antisemitic. He knew exactly what he was doing today, cos he'd seen it all happen to RLB. And he did it anyway.

He simply does not care about the damage he causes the party. That's a secondary consideration for him.

I know I'll be attacked for saying this, because that's where we are now. But before you tweet me about it, just read through the thread and try to find logical reasons why Corbyn would NOT have been able to predict a nasty outcome for himself.

And then, after you've done that, try to find rational reasons why he couldn't wait an hour, and discuss a response with the party, in an effort to avoid a fight.

Cos I can't find one reason.

I think he loves this. I think he's content to damage Labour. I think that's awful.