Jeremy Corbyn uses Labour reshuffle to give key posts to ex-lover and lawyer who wrote ‘whitewash’ report on anti-semitism
British airlines would also lose flying rights to countries like America, because the UK is currently covered by agreements between the EU and third countries
JEREMY Corbyn has given key jobs to his cronies as he embarks on another Shadow Cabinet reshuffle.
The hapless leftie has appointed his key ally Diane Abbott as the Shadow Home Secretary and Baroness Shami Chakrabarti has been made the Shadow Attorney General.
Miss Abbott and Mr Corbyn were said to have been lovers in the late 1970s and were described as the "dreadful duo" when they worked together as councillors in north London.
Labour peer Ms Chakrabarti took her seat in the House of Lords under a cloud of controversy last month.
She was offered a peerage by the Labour leader after overseeing a report into anti-Semitism in the Labour Party described by Jewish groups as a "whitewash".
Mr Corbyn has appointed Sarah Champion as the Shadow Women and Equalities Minister and given Jo Stevens the job of Shadow Secretary State for Wales.
Remarkably, Champion is now the Labour party's voice on domestic violence despite weeks ago admitting she was thrown in police cells after being accused of assault against her ex-husband.
Speaking about the appointments he said: "I am delighted to confirm the appointments of four extremely talented women to our shadow cabinet.
"These appointments mean, for the first time ever, two out of the three traditional ‘great offices of state’ will be shadowed by women.”
Commenting on her appointment to the post of Shadow Attorney General, Baroness Shami Chakrabarti said: “It is an enormous privilege to take up the post of Shadow Attorney General in Jeremy Corbyn’s new team. I hope to follow in a great tradition of law officers on both sides of the aisle who have defended rights, freedoms and the Rule of Law.”
Just weeks ago, Marie van der Zyl, vice president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said Chakrabarti was responsible for a "whitewash for peerages".
She added the incident was "a scandal that surely raises serious questions about the integrity of Ms Chakrabarti, her inquiry and the Labour leadership".
And Diane Abbott is delighted to have been named the Shadow Home Secretary. She said: “I am honoured to serve.
“My first job when I left university was as a graduate trainee in the Home Office, so my career has come full circle.”
And he has made Dawn Butler the Shadow Minister for Black and Minority Ethnic Communities.
Speaking about her appointment he said: "I am delighted to announce the appointment of Dawn to my shadow cabinet.
"I am very proud that the Labour Party now has five MPs in our shadow cabinet from the BAME community – the highest number ever in any cabinet or shadow cabinet.”
Nick Brown makes a Labour frontbench return as chief whip.
He held the position under Gordon Brown when he was Prime Minister.
A spokesman for the Labour leader said: “Jeremy has spoken to number of colleagues in Parliamentary Labour Party.
“He has begun the process of appointing a new frontbench team.”
The news comes less than a fortnight after Mr Corbyn convincingly won his second leadership contest, saying afterwards he wanted to bring the party back together.
It will be Mr Brown’s third spell in the role, having also been Government Chief Whip under Tony Blair in his first year in Number 10.
A statement from Mr Corbyn on the appointment of Mr Brown, a former agriculture minister, said he “welcomed” his arrival.
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"I would like to pay tribute to Rosie Winterton for her six years’ exceptional service as Chief Whip," he added.
"She has played an outstanding role in her support for me as leader and for the Labour Party as a whole."
Mr Brown, who has been an MP since 1983, said: “Jeremy Corbyn has asked me to serve as chief whip to the parliamentary Labour party and I have accepted.
“I hope that I can bring experience and play a constructive role in providing the strongest possible opposition to this Tory Government.”
However, Labour MP Tom Blenkinsop wrote on Twitter: "Clear Corbyn wants submission not unity. Ignoring wishes of the PLP and just sacking and appointing regardless."
A statement was also released from Dame Winterton, who said: “It has been an honour to have served as Labour’s Chief Whip for the past six years under there different leaders.
“I would like to thanks the whips and the Parliamentary Labour Party for the support they have given me.
“I wish Nick Brown every success in this role.”
More changes are expected to Mr Corbyn’s top team tonight, with the leader looking to cement his position at the head of the party.
He tweeted the news earlier this evening:
And MPs have been tweeting their reactions to the news
Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron has blasted the veteran leftie's appointments saying the "vow to reach out to moderates in his party lasted barely a week.
"It is clear centrist, pro-Europeans have been sidelined".
He said: "Labour is hopelessly divided and is clearly unfit for government with no credible plan for a modern economy.
"Jeremy Corybn and his old comrade Diane Abbott, the new shadow home secretary, are obsessed with re-fighting the battles of the past and ignoring the damage the government is doing to our future.
"It must be clear now to moderate, centrist Labour supporters that they have lost control of their party.
"Only the Liberal Democrats are fighting to keep Britain in Europe and providing the real opposition to the Conservative Brexit government."