News from Sheffield Labour

“Nick Clegg must disassociate his party from Le Pen comments” – Blomfield

Paul Blomfield, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Sheffield Central, has written to Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg MP challenging him to disassociate himself from comments made by the Lib Dem Leader in Europe, Graham Watson MEP.

Mr Watson opposed a move by socialist parties in the European Parliament to prevent the far-right MEP Jean-Marie Le Pen from opening the new session of the European Parliament in July. On behalf of the Liberal Democrats, Mr Watson said:

“There is no reason we should treat Mr. Le Pen differently from others, even if we hate his politics.”

Mr. Clegg was asked about Mr Watson’s comments by local student Jacob Hunt-Stewart at a meeting held at the University of Sheffield on Friday 27 March, but failed to condemn them.

Paul Blomfield said:

“I was shocked to discover that the leader of the Lib Dems in Europe thinks Jean-Marie Le Pen should be viewed just like any other MEP. Even if he does oppose Le Pen’s politics, Watson couldn’t be more wrong because Le Pen is not like any other MEP, he is one of post-war Europe’s most notorious fascist leaders and I call on Nick Clegg to disassociate himself and his Party from these comments.

“Le Pen has been prosecuted in several countries for anti-Semitism and for denying the holocaust. Only last week in the European Parliament he repeated his view that the Nazi extermination of 6 million Jews was a mere detail of history. He shouldn’t be given the honour of opening the next session of the European Parliament and I’m pleased Labour and progressive parties in Europe voted to stop him.

“The elected European Parliament is a product of the peace we have built in Europe following the horrors of the last world war. Its first President, Simone Veil, was a survivor of the Auschwitz death camp. It would have been an insult to all who suffered under the Nazis if the Parliament honoured Le Pen and I hope the Lib Dems will acknowledge their mistake.”

Other news from Sheffield Labour

• Station Bridge roundtable with Transport Ministers announced - 8 February 2012
• Paul Blomfield MP slams Tory "ambush" of Government Fair Access Director - 8 February 2012
• Angela Smith MP highlights economic problems faced by Barnsley - 7 February 2012