It has been an interesting week for terrorism-related stories. There was the news that MI5 had, at one time, opened a preliminary file into Jeremy Corbyn for his links with the IRA. According to The Times last Saturday, the opening of the preliminary file was dismissed by Mr Corbyn as being one of many files being opened on members of the Labour Party.
Three days later a suicide bomber blew himself up at a concert in Manchester, killing at least 22 people. The victims included children whose only crime was to go and enjoy music. Mr Corbyn’s response to the suicide bomb was the following tweet: “I am horrified by the horrendous events in Manchester last night. My thoughts are with families and friends of those who have died and been injured. Today the whole country will grieve for the people who have lost their lives.”
At this point, I must reflect on Mr Corbyn’s reaction given his past support for the IRA and counting Hamas and Hezbollah as “friends”. Is it genuine? All three organisations have specialised in terrorism and two, most notably, suicide bombings. Many innocents have been murdered in other countries. However, I do not recall Mr Corbyn offering his thoughts as a blanket comfort to all victims and families in other countries.
Now I do not know Mr Corbyn or his thoughts. However, his tweet strikes me as being filled with crocodile tears and that any support he may have for terrorists of any branding is a form of NIMBYism – i.e. don’t blow yourselves and others up in my backyard. Other countries I don’t like, fine, but not here.
Does anyone think the same?