For those who don't follow Twitter very closely, here's a Twitter exchange between BBC presenter Andrew Neil and BBC regular Owen Jones. Enjoy!
Owen Jones: Frank Field voted to save Theresa May's government, supported her extreme Tory Brexiteer policies and has been compared to Enoch Powell because of his xenophobia. His local party wanted him out, and he jumped before he was pushed.
Andrew Neil: Frank Field = Enoch Powell. Modern McCarthyism at its finest/worst, depending on your point of view.
Owen Jones: I quoted a Bishop who compared Frank Field to Enoch Powell - who Field praised - because of his anti-immigration bigotry. But given you hired the Holocaust denier and Nazi apologist David Irving, and your magazine publishes defences of Nazis, I’d stay out of this one, old chap.
Andrew Neil: I admire how you do JC’s work, tirelessly and, so far, without reward. Everybody close to Mr Corbyn still despises you. It’s so unfair. Maybe adding to your McCarthyite litany by calling Mr Field a bigot will make them see sense. I do hope so.
Owen Jones: Did Andrew Neil describe the comparison of Jeremy Corbyn to Enoch Powell - a man frequently praised by his Spectator magazine’s leading contributors - as McCarthyism? No he didn’t, because Andrew Neil is a right wing Tory paid for by the licence payer.
Andrew Neil: Another McCarthyite smear. You really are getting the hang of this. If only Mr Corbyn and those around him would recognise your talents, as I do. I think I’ll have a word with them. You deserve better for selling your soul.
And, of course, others joined it:
Bivver1 bif #JC9 #brokenmedia: Really ? As if you know anyone close to Corbyn, more fiction from your 'News' programs Neil?Andrew Neil: Seamus is an old colleague of mine. He used to work for me.
Ian Lavery MP: What a load of nonsense from Andrew Neil. Think you need to get yourself some fresh sources. Owen Jones is and always will be a close friend and true comrade. He is an assiduous supporter of the mass movement of people power we are building. A Labour Party, for the Many!Andrew Neil: Ian, I agree with you. The wee lad is assiduous. Indeed I’d go further — a huge asset for you. Just not appreciated by Core Corbyn. Let’s try to put this right. I’ll have a word with my old mate Seamus. And you speak to Jezza. Together we can do this.
etc.
