Corbyn under pressure to be open about Iron Curtain spy contacts

Sonic67

Wasn't down to her being "sweet." It was her job.

weaviemx5

So again, a highly trained GCHQ spy was duped by US customs so they could put 'something' on her phone and you're complaining that an unknown, untrained backbench MP should have known that someone working at the Czech embassy 30 years ago was a member of their secret service (whether that's actually true or not)?

Sonic67

Yes. Not just me. She was in to give a briefing prior to a tour.

Not sure why this is a shock. Everyone spies on everyone else.

Obama administration spied on German media, government - CNNPolitics

US 'spied on French presidents' - Wikileaks - US 'spied on French presidents'

Germany, Too, Is Accused of Spying on Friends

It was secretly put on her phone while going through US customs. Presumably she had ways she could tell and would have then not let on she knew. All part of spying. They knew she was worth spying on. She knew to be suspicious. I'm not sure why this is a surprise. We would do the same. She wasn't "caught out." Try entering the US at all. It's a game just to go there for a few days.

If it comes to it there was reasons why US troops couldn't go in the back of the vehicles we had in Iraq and Afghanistan. We had developed stuff and if the US wanted the technology they can pay for it or exchange it with what we know with what they know.
Why. She knew what she was doing.

Sonic67

Again. She wasn't "duped." She knew it had happened and probably expected it. She went through customs, all metalwork, bags, luggage etc you lose sight of.
Me? Why aren't you acknowledging a former head of secret service has issues with it?

weaviemx5

It's an article behind a paywall but looking at other papers that have printed the same article, it appears to be a former MI6 chief saying that if Corbyn met a Czech spy he should have answers.  Doesn't really say any more and, coming from the MI6 Chief who's office supplied the now-proven faked WMOD dossiers maybe his judgement could be questioned too?

As for a UK Politician meeting foreign agents, what do you think about Boris meeting up with an expelled Russian spy?

Photo emerges of Russian exposed as spy with "good friend" Boris Johnson

Personally, I'd take the view that Corbyn actually expressed when he said that politicians meet many people, good and bad, but that doesn't immediately make them an enemy of the state as some people are getting very excited about.

You've argued yourself that your GCHQ spy friend was deliberately targeted by the US.  Does that mean that Nigel Farage is an enemy of the state now because of his potential gopher job between Trump, Russia and Julian Assange?

Sonic67

Pretty sure that's what everyone wants.
Whataboutery.
More whataboutery. In the same way, Corbyn's meetings with the IRA, are also compared with John Major trying to get peace in Ireland.
Great.
More whataboutery. People meet people all the time.

weaviemx5

Tadaaaaa

Yes, it was whataboutery and it normally does my head in when it's used as a deflection tactic to defend people like Trump.  However, in this case I genuinely believe that it's a valid comparison.  You feel that Corbyn should have more answers over why he met this guy, Corbyn has gone on record to say that he met him in the Embassy as many other people did too.  

I don't know how true it is but the guy is also claiming to have organised Live Aid so I guess that should be investigated as well to get the full facts?  He's also claimed a second meeting with Corbyn inside Westminster.  However, this appears to have been a Saturday (when it's closed) and the day after Corbyn's mother died so he's probably got a pretty good memory about where he was that day and, apparently, it wasn't with this guy.

Bl4ckGryph0n

That is exactly how I interpreted your point; it wasn't about the event itself it was about expecting that when you are in certain positions that will happen, even from your allies.

Hence the "I didn't know" (which actually isn't being provided either) by Jeremy is just as unplausible.

rancidpunk

Or the Mandela concert, he can't remember which world famous concert he organised. Does that make Geldof and Midge Ure potential enemies of the state too?

krish

Midge Ure means nothing to them and can see no reason, 'cause there are no reasons, to be interested in Geldof either.