Bradley tweets apology to Jeremy Corbyn after false spy allegations

Mansfield MP Ben Bradley has apologised to Jeremy Corbyn for making false claims about links with communist spies.
Ben Bradley during his maiden speech.Ben Bradley during his maiden speech.
Ben Bradley during his maiden speech.

Ben Bradley was threatened with legal action after making the claims about Mr Corbyn on social media earlier this week.

The Tory MP’s tweet followed allegations about Mr Corbyn’s contact with a Czech intelligence agent in 1980s.

The MP tweeted on Saturday night:

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“I have since deleted the defamatory tweet. I have agreed to pay an undisclosed substantial sum of money to a charity of his choice, and I will also pay his legal costs.

“I fully accept that my statement was wholly untrue and false. I accept that I caused distress and upset to Jeremy Corbyn by my untrue and false allegations, suggesting he had betrayed his country by collaborating with foreign spies.

“I am very sorry for publishing this untrue and false statement and I have no hesitation in offering my unreserved and unconditional apology to Jeremy Corbyn for the distress I have caused him.”

Mr Bradley will make a donation to a foodbank and a homeless charity in his Mansfield constituency.

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A spokesman for Mr Corbyn said: “We are pleased Ben Bradley has admitted what he said was entirely untrue and apologised, and that charities in Mansfield will benefit.

“Following the botched smear campaign against Jeremy, this case shows we are not going to let dangerous lies go unchallenged.”