Livingstone's offensive remark

[Osem]

Well of course Red Ken likes to lecture the world about avoiding offending people, especially minorities, but over the years he's never minded doing his fare share of offending and he's at I again:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34853430

Jeremy Corbyn has called on Ken Livingstone - the man he appointed to a Labour defence review - to apologise for comments about a shadow minister.

Mr Livingstone told the Mirror Kevan Jones - who has suffered with depression - needed "psychiatric help".

Mr Jones called the comments "gravely offensive", and Mr Livingstone faced a backlash from a number of Labour MPs.

Shadow defence secretary Maria Eagle is reportedly "furious" about Mr Livingstone's appointment.

Commenting on Mr Livingstone's comments to the Mirror, Jeremy Corbyn said: "You can disagree on policy but what really angers me is someone using mental illness as a way of belittling his opponents."

Just heard him on LBC, refusing to apologise for the offence he caused. I guess he's just as bad as all those nasty evil Tory **** then eh?...

People like Livingstone do their best to hide their real personalities and are hypocritical enough to condemn others for similar behaviour but sooner or later their mask slips and they prove they're really no better.

[Gary L]

He reminds me of someone.

[Osem]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34853430

Well he's made an 'unreserved' apology so that's something. What would be nicer would be him not being so offensive in the first place but after decades of practice (dating back to the 1970's) I imagine that's too much to ask of someone like him.

[ianch99]

I thought Osem just hated Labour but now he is calling Tories "nasty evil ****". I suppose, to be fair, it is a balanced approach ..

[denphone]

Better to make a apology rather then not make one at all..

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by denphone

Better to make a apology rather then not make one at all..

Better not to say it in the first place. He needs to put his brain in gear first before his mouth.

[Osem]

Originally Posted by Sirius

Better not to say it in the first place. He needs to put his brain in gear first before his mouth.

Livingstone has always traded in insults. It's typical of his ilk - people who are happy to occupy the moral high ground when it suits but don't mind resorting to the sort of language and behaviour they love to condemn in others. There's a word for it - hypocrisy - and Livingstone is a fine example of it.

[denphone]

He is not the first person to say those things sadly Sirius and sadly he won't be the last as there is still a considerable stigma in this country regarding mental illness and people should think as you say before they pass comment on others.

[Osem]

Some payback for Red Ken from one of his colleagues:

http://www.lbc.co.uk/livingstone-hit...-attack-120166

The truth is that when Livingstone can't control himself he resorts to the sort of personal insults that the like of Draper and McBride would be proud of. Some folks spend their lives whining about bigotry, prejudice, this-ism and that-ism but can't help indulging in some when it suits.

[Arthurgray50@blu]

I think there are more important issues to be discussed, then stupid politician's being like kids.

Any day we could be hit by terrorists. ALL MPs should be focused on protecting this country.

I get called different names each day.

I cannot believe Im almost agreeing with Arthur.

All anyone seems able to do these days is get "offended" by pretty much everything - grow up and get a thicker skin people.

[Osem]

The point is that Livingstone's stock in trade is taking up causes of so called 'offence' and bandying around terms like bigot when in fact on occasions he's proved himself no better. I'd agree that 'offence' has almost become an industry, however, but that is in part due to people like him, usually on the left, who use it as a weapon to stifle debate amongst other things. Can you imagine Livingstone's likely reaction had an evil Tory toff made such a comment then refused to apologise? Anyway, what goes around clearly comes around and just like Corbyn, McDonnell and all the rest, their nastiness is not hidden very deep under the surface.

Thin skinititus strikes again this country is stupid you enter the world of politics you know it's not all sweets and flowers deal with it. Bunch of self absorbed people getting themselves worked up about not much.