Momentum, set up by 2 prominent Jewish labour activists, was called 'neofascist' today by a serving minister hiding behind parliamentary privilege. Troubling times we live in. — Gareth (@GarethFearn) March 28, 2018

How wrong can one Tory government minister be?

About as wrong as it’s possible to get!

Here‘s the story, courtesy of Evolve Politics:

Jeremy Corbyn’s activist group Momentum have threatened a Tory Minister with legal action after he wrongly labelled the left-wing grassroots organisation as ‘neo-fascist’ during a debate in the House of Commons. The Conservative Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid, made the incredible claim during a speech replying to Andrew Gwynne in a debate on Tory cuts to local government. Knowing he was safely protected from British libel laws through his Parliamentary privilege, Javid said [15:27.56]: “Just yesterday there were reports of a meeting by the hard left neo-fascist Momentum group in Wandsworth trying to remove Wandsworth Councillors”

Momentum’s response was immediate:

.@sajidjavid, do you really believe we're a 'neo-fascist' organization? Say it outside parliament and you'll hear from our lawyers. 🤣💵💵💵 — Momentum 🌹 (@PeoplesMomentum) March 28, 2018

Here’s an interesting thing, though – Labour MP Clive Lewis reckons Mr Javid has said it outside the Commons chamber.

.@sajidjavid you muppet. Said outside the chamber as well. https://t.co/tcZJGj4fr6 — Clive Lewis MP (@labourlewis) March 28, 2018

This means Mr Javid is entirely open to prosecution, as This Writer understands the law.

Meanwhile, responses from the public have ranged from outrage…

I'm a member of @PeoplesMomentum

All members I've met are decent people who want social justice & are prepared to work for it@sajidjavid “neofascist” slur is vile. Theresa May should force him to apologise Javid is a disciple of noxious Ayn Rand – high priestess of selfishness — Tom London (@TomLondon6) March 28, 2018

So @sajidjavid describing @PeoplesMomentum as "neofascist" in Parliament today is a disgraceful smear against tens of thousands of anti-fascist activists who believe in a more just and equal world, and also belittles the horror of actual fascism. He should apologise in full. — Owen Jones 🌹 (@OwenJones84) March 28, 2018

Whether you share the politics of @PeoplesMomentum or not, it is absurd and disgraceful to call them 'neofascist'. The minister should apologise. https://t.co/A2ItAb8nkX — Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) March 28, 2018

Momentum being called “neofascist” by @sajidjavid is part of a concerted right-wing attempt to demonise and delegitimise all dissent. “Enemies of the people”, “crush the saboteurs”, “traitors”, “Labour are terrorist sympathisers/foreign stooges”. It’s sinister and must stop. https://t.co/FUVcd1PegU — Owen Jones 🌹 (@OwenJones84) March 28, 2018

… to support (from the usual suspects)…

https://twitter.com/KamBass/status/979111262843006976

… to satire. After the Twitter hashtag predicting the next smear against Jeremy Corbyn on Monday, there now appeared #MyHardLeftNeoFascistConfession:

#MyHardLeftNeoFascistConfession – I think the money for trident could be better spent on building social housing and training nhs staff. Don't let on — Jeremiah, Mad as hell (@R_O_Shipman) March 28, 2018

I sold Porton Down out of date baking soda and passed it off as military grade Novichok of a Russian type. #MyHardLeftNeoFascistConfession — Nicola James 💚💙🇵🇸#BlackLivesMatter (@NAJ562) March 28, 2018

The real question is whether Mr Javid has made his “neofascist” comment outside the protection of the Commons chamber. If he has, or if he does, then Momentum will certainly launch a lawsuit against him – and rightly so.

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