Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn was never going to be replaced in Labour’s reshuffle, the shadow chancellor has said.
John McDonnell put rumours Mr Benn would be sacked or moved down to “hype” in the press and compared his leader Jeremy Corbyn to Arsenal football club manager Arsene Wenger.
“Hilary was never going to go. Never going to go,” the shadow chancellor told ITV1’s Good Morning Britain programme.
“[Mr Corbyn] is re-dictating the terms of what leadership is all about. It's about bringing people in, building a team, being a good manager and that's what he's developing. He's an Arsene Wenger of politics.”
There was speculation that Mr Benn would be sacked during the much-trailed reshuffle on account of his decision to vote differently to Mr Corbyn on bombing Syria.
Despite being the shadow foreign secretary Mr Benn led a passionate defence of air strikes against Isis in the country in the House of Commons, receiving a rare parliamentary round of applause.
While Mr Corbyn had allowed MPs a free vote on the issue, the vote by many MPs for air strikes saw opposition to his leadership crystalise in the party’s parliamentary party.
Mr McDonnell also said former shadow defence secretary Maria Eagle had moved to her “dream job” in the culture department. She has been replaced by Emily Thornberry.
He rejected the suggestion the Labour leader had "dithered" over the shape of his new shadow cabinet.
Labour grandee and ally of Mr Corbyn Ken Livingstone had said it might be best to move Mr Benn, though he later said he believed Mr Corbyn may not have ever intended to move his shadow foreign secretary.
Ultimately the only two MPs completely sacked were those who had criticised the trailed prospective reshuffle in the press.
Pat McFadden, the outgoing Europe minister who had said Mr Corbyn’s reshuffle could be “petty and vindictive” was sent back to the back benches. Michael Dugher, the outgoing culture secretary who said a “revenge reshuffle” would be “not very new politics” was also demoted.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments