Brexit news latest: Remain and Leave politicians mock Jeremy Corbyn over old footage of Labour leader blasting 'European empire'

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking at a Remain rally in 2016. Critics have seized upon comments from a 2009 rally as evidence of his 'Euroscepticism'
Gareth Fuller/PA
James Morris5 February 2019
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Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has been mocked by Remainer and Brexiteer politicians after footage emerged of him blasting the “European empire”.

Remainer Owen Smith and leading Brexiteer Nigel Farage were among those who seized upon the 10-year-old footage as further evidence of Mr Corbyn’s "Euroscepticism".

The video, obtained by Red Roar, shows Mr Corbyn speaking at an anti-war rally during the 2009 Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

His speech, in which he described the EU as potentially becoming a “military Frankenstein”, has been received as a further blow to Labour Remainers who want a second vote on Brexit.

Mr Corbyn said: “If you succeed in getting a ‘no’ vote here, that will be such a boost to people like us, all over Europe, that do not want to live in a European empire of the 21st century.”

In the footage, Mr Corbyn said he was pleased Ireland was having the vote, and that “I wish we were having a referendum in Britain”.

Mr Corbyn, then a little-known backbencher, said that under the terms of the Lisbon Treaty, Europe would “become subservient to the wishes of NATO”.

He continued: “What it does is create this military machine, this military Frankenstein, which will be so damaging to all of us.”

Mr Smith, Mr Corbyn’s old foe in the Labour Party who was trounced in the 2016 leadership election, said of the video: “This is why Corbyn was always going to facilitate Brexit if he could: because he’s always believed in escaping the ‘European Empire.’ But he voted ‘Remain’, of course...”

Mr Farage couldn’t hide his glee at the video, tweeting: “Love this speech by Corbyn on the second Irish referendum, he is a real Eurosceptic.

“His role will be crucial over the next few weeks.

“Will the real @JeremyCorbyn please stand up?”

Tory backbencher and arch-Brexiteer Andrew Rosindell also said: “His logic was right about it then and the same applies now!”

Mr Corbyn has always promised to respect the result of the 2016 referendum.while Labour’s official policy over a second vote is seen by many as ambiguous.

Scores of Labour MPs were furious with what they perceived to be Mr Corbyn’s half-hearted campaigning for Remain in the 2016 vote. It prompted a leadership election months later, with Mr Corbyn winning by a landslide against Mr Smith.

Mr Corbyn has also denied repeated accusations that he in fact voted Leave in the referendum.

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