Jeremy Corbyn has told his local newspaper why he has banned doorstep interviews outside his London home – claiming he did not want to upset his neighbours.
Speaking to the Islington Tribune, the Labour Leader, left, said it was not “fair” on fellow residents for him to conduct a “daily press conference” outside his home.
Mr Corbyn, who represents Islington North in Parliament, was recently seen pushing away a journalist’s recording device outside his house, saying he was not in the mood to talk about revelations concerning David Cameron’s tax affairs.
He had previously come in for criticism from regional press journalists at Labour’s annual conference in October, when reporters were denied interviews with him.
Speaking to the Tribune at his constituency office, he said: “I have a rule, an absolute rule. I will never do an interview on my doorstep because it’s not fair on my neighbours, it’s not fair on the community I live in. I’m not conducting a daily press conference on my doorstep.
“Some journalists and some media correspondents get it, some are unfortunately very rude, stick a microphone straight in your mouth when you come out the front door and demand a reply, which is very bad manners, and I told them so.
“They all know that and they should respect it. I don’t think that my street should become a studio for the media. They can contact my office in the proper way.”
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Can’t blame him really especially as many of the points he tries to get across will be rubbished by the media anyway.
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He quite often refuses interview requests made through his office, and shouts at journalists who call his mobile.
It’s no different to local councillors who refuse to talk to press unless it’s been sanctioned and is supervised by the press office.
If you’re an elected official, you have a duty to talk to those whom you represent. Corbyn needs to stop treating the media like a nuisance and recognise its crucial democratic role – and maybe they’ll accord him a little more respect in return.
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The Daily Grind…Little more respect? I doubt it.
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His dress sense has improved slightly but he still comes across as a grumpy old sausage.
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