Momentum threatens Sajid Javid with legal action for calling group ‘neo-fascist’ Momentum has threatened Conservative MP Sajid Javid with legal action after he called the left-wing grassroots group “neo-fascist”. The Communities […]

Momentum has threatened Conservative MP Sajid Javid with legal action after he called the left-wing grassroots group “neo-fascist”.

The Communities Secretary has come under fire for his remarks and is being urged to apologise.

Mr Javid made the comments during a debate about local government funding in the House of Commons, in which he said he was very concerned about the intimidation of Labour councillors.

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He said the “hard left neo-fascist Momentum group” was trying to remove councillors in Wandsworth.

Sajid Javid’s comment: “I am very concerned about the intimidation of councillors, which is, of course, wrong at every level. Decent Opposition Members will recognise the intimidation that there has been, especially in London, of Labour leaders. Just yesterday, there were reports of a meeting of the hard left neo-fascist Momentum group, which was trying to remove Wandsworth councillors. We have all heard about Claire Kober, who was removed from Haringey Council—and who, by the way, talked about the sexism, intimidation and bullying that she suffered, including the anti-Semitism in her own party that seems to be defended by the Leader of the Opposition at every opportunity. “We have also heard about Warren Morgan in Brighton and Hove, and about Jon Clempner. The list goes on. I very much agree with my hon. friend that we all have to end this kind of intimidation in politics, but this is particularly a lesson for the Labour party.”

Momentum: ‘You’ll hear from our lawyers’

Momentum, which supports Jeremy Corbyn, called on Mr Javid to apologise for his remark and suggested the group might launch legal action if he repeated his claim.

“Do you really believe we’re a ‘neo-fascist’ organization? Say it outside parliament and you’ll hear from our lawyers,” the group said.

.@sajidjavid, do you really believe we're a 'neo-fascist' organization? Say it outside parliament and you'll hear from our lawyers. ???????????????? — Momentum ???? (@PeoplesMomentum) March 28, 2018

In a comment given to i, Laura Parker, Momentum’s National Coordinator, said: “These comments are offensive, absurd and deeply disrespectful to all those who have made great sacrifices fighting fascism both here and abroad. If Sajid Javid stands by his remarks, he should repeat them outside Parliament – at which point he will hear from our lawyers.

“Otherwise he should apologise and consider whether he is fit to be a Government minister.”

Criticism from MPs

Some MPs also criticised Mr Javid, with Caroline Lucas, co-leader of the Green Party, saying it was “absurd and disgraceful to call [Momentum] ‘neofascist'”.

“The minister should apologise,” she added.

Labour MP for Leeds North West Alex Sobel said he was “appalled”.

“Using Parliamentary Privilege to call Labour Party members including in my own constituency party many of whom have opposed real fascists is a stain on the Tories and Sajid should apologise,” he said.

Emina Ibrahim, a vice chair of Momentum, repeated the threat of legal action.

.@sajidjavid please repeat outside Parliament your allegations that Jon Lansman a Jewish man, Cecile Wright a Black Woman and me a Cypriot Turkish woman from a Muslim background are running a Neo Fascist organisation – and the letter from lawyer will be in the post — Emina Ibrahim (@Emina_ibrahim) March 28, 2018

Meanwhile Chris Williamson, Labour MP for Derby North, said Mr Javid’s use of the term “neo-fascist” was a “menace and a disgrace”.

“It was a neo-fascist who murdered my colleague Jo Cox. It was a neo-fascist who killed Makram Ali and who claimed he wanted to kill Jeremy Corbyn and Sadiq Khan,” he said.

It was a neo-fascist who murdered my colleague Jo Cox. It was a neo-fascist who killed Makram Ali and who claimed he wanted to kill Jeremy Corbyn and Sadiq Khan. For @sajidjavid to use this term to describe @PeoplesMomentum is a menace and a disgrace. He must apologise. — Chris Williamson #GTTO (@DerbyChrisW) March 28, 2018

i has contacted Mr Javid for comment.