Richard Burgon, Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary, is taking The Sun newspaper to court for claiming that a heavy metal band he has performed with used Nazi-like symbolism on an album cover.
The group, Dream Troll, uses SS-esque lightning flashes for their record We Sold Our Soul for Rock and Troll.
But Burgon says the symbolism was copied from a Black Sabbath cover, and has pointed out to a source that he can’t be a Nazi because of his connections to the Communist Party.
The Sun, however, stands by its story, stating that the images on the Black Sabbath cover are also Nazi-like lightning flashes. Burgon now faces three days in the High Court starting on January 23. But the case looks set to embarrass Labour as part of his cross-examination will touch on anti-Semitism, the issue that plagued its leadership all summer. We understand Jeremy Corbyn’s office has not been officially informed of the case and may be irritated to have the argument over anti-Semitism reignited.
Burgon has instructed Carter-Ruck, the posh London firm used by celebrities such as Simon Cowell and Jude Law. Of the story, Burgon wrote on Facebook: “The [band] are fans of Black Sabbath not neo-Nazis.
“Before The Sun went to print, they were sent a copy of the Black Sabbath record cover, but they responded by dismissing its relevance to their ‘story’.”
Meanwhile, Burgon announces today that a Labour government would restore legal aid for those appealing against certain benefit cuts. “People should never be expected to navigate a complex appeals process all by themselves,” Burgon says. “That can force some to give up their claim altogether after a wrong initial decision. Others endure months of stress trying to prepare their own case.”
Burgon — dubbed the “farting commie” by Guido Fawkes after he was accused of breaking wind in the chamber — was the feted guest speaker at a meeting of the Leeds Branch of the Communist Party in 2008.
Jam on the M-bun
Liz Truss has yet to comment on Green Party candidate Zack Polanski’s exhaustive — and possibly unethical — eavesdropping Twitter thread. Polanski overheard the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in a restaurant. She allegedly called Foreign Sec Jeremy Hunt “charming” but “inconsistent”, and tipped him or Home Sec Sajid Javid to take over as Tory leader. But she also unveiled a motorway manifesto. “Company sponsorship for the Top 10 motorways,” she proposed. “Like they have in the USA, where Burger King sponsors potholes.” Quick fact check, Liz — Domino’s Pizza is the pothole sponsor.
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AFTER our report that Jacob Rees-Mogg sought legal advice to determine whether Brexiteers could be excluded from the BBC’s TV debate, we hear MPs across the floor are consulting lawyers “on a range of issues, from parliamentary process for People’s Vote to the legitimacy of Theresa May’s backstop”.
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Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy stood onstage at the Soho Theatre last night and introduced himself as the star of the show, US comedian Hari Kondabolu. The audience tittered. Nah, not really, he continued, reintroducing himself as BBC newsreader George Alagiah. Kondabolu took the baton, joking with the audience that Asians “all look the same” to white people.
A tangled Webb...
Peep Show’s Robert Webb sought advice from authors David Nicholls, John Niven and Ian Rankin on his debut novel, Come Again, described as a “landmark deal” by The Bookseller.
“I’m four months late on a revised deadline,” Webb wailed. “I’m so f****ed.” Niven offered words of soothing encouragement, to which a grateful Webb replied: “Sounds good. If you could also go into [the publishers] and explain their summer 2019 book was always going to be a spring 2020 book that would be even better. I will slightly stand behind you looking regretful but prepared for sudden violence.”
“What a kinky little gathering this is,” singer Kim Wilde (above) commented before presenting the Bad Sex in Fiction Awards, won by James Frey for Katerina. “I do feel slightly turned on.”
Mr Big follows the smoke signals in east to the Isle of Dogs
SW1A
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson’s social-media skills are being mocked after he shared an inadvertently flirty “come hither” selfie on Instagram. “Why is Gavin Williamson posting thirst traps?” one commentator inquired. “A bit hot here, isn’t he?” guffawed another. Williamson (below) caused further hilarity by using the hashtag “bed”. “Would not recommend clicking through on hashtag,” a user warned. A blushing Williamson replied: “Oh dear, might just edit my post. Thanks for the heads up.”
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Speaking of beds, Jess Phillips says: “I can’t be bothered to put my clothes on to go to bed.” The MP reveals that she grew up in one of those “households, where everyone walks around naked” and still lives in one. Despite receiving a stilted sex education at school, she tells the Hotbed podcast that she came from a very liberated family who would talk about sex “all the time”. Perfect preparation for the Commons, then.
Quote of the Day
‘Everybody says that to me, “You’ve done your best — but...”’
Theresa May tells a Tory source, who tells The Sun
