Labour chairman Ian Lavery has denied trying to use the coronavirus crisis to help the Labour Party, after he was recorded describing the coronavirus outbreak as a “great opportunity”.
Mr Lavery, MP for Wansbeck, said he believed there was an opportunity for people to help their local communities, and reports suggesting otherwise were "intentionally misleading".
The Guido Fawkes website posted a recording of Mr Lavery speaking during a Zoom conference call with party activists on Friday.
He was recorded saying: “By the way, when something like this happens, we’re going to see lots of our own dying as a consequence.
“But, you know apart from that, it’s going to give the fantastic battalion of Labour Party members, community champions out there, a great opportunity of showing how Labour, and why Labour, is best when it gets on the front foot and best when it brings people together.
“We need to make sure that we do that and community organising – what a great opportunity it’s going to give us.
“Every one of us, every one of our families… relations, friends, organising the communities, because there is going to be lots of people out there that really need our help.”
The website claimed this showed he was attempting to use the tragedy as a "partisan opportunity".
Responding on Twitter, Mr Lavery said: "Intentionally misleading reporting is really disappointing at a time like this.
"I've spoken about the opportunity for people to get out there and help their local communities and those in need.
"Nonsense to suggest otherwise. We all need to do our bit to get through this crisis."
