Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn hires ex-Sinn Féin staffer Jayne Fisher for leadership team

LABOUR leader Jeremy Corbyn has hired a former Sinn Féin staffer to his leadership team, in an appointment which could prove controversial.

Jayne Fisher headed up Sinn Féin’s London office until recently and will now work as a “stakeholder engagement manager” for Labour under Corbyn’s leadership.

Birmingham-born Ms Fisher is a member of the Labour Party’s Islington South Branch and has been a member of the party since she was 18.

She has been involved in campaigning in support of Irish self-determination and has worked with the Labour Party Irish Society since it was formed in 1998.

Ms Fisher, whose Irish roots lie in Westmeath, Dublin and Sligo, previously worked in Sinn Féin’s Westminster office from 1998 and was active in the Troops Out Movement, the Labour Committee on Ireland and later in the Time to Go Campaign.

Mr Corbyn has previously been criticised in Britain for his ties to Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams.

He was criticised in 1984 when, just weeks after the Brighton bombing, he invited members of Sinn Féin to the Commons.

Now his latest appointment is also stirring debate.

Jayne Fisher has been working in parliament for many years for many MPs. The synthetic snarling of Blair zealots about her appointment sad.

— George Galloway (@georgegalloway) December 15, 2016

As Shad Sec of State I worked closely with reps of all NI parties.I often disagreed with Jayne Fisher on N Ireland+Labour Party issues.(1)

— Ivan Lewis MP (@IvanLewis_MP) December 15, 2016

But I always found her to be highly professional, principled + honest even amidst fierce disagreements.She does not deserve to be demonised.

— Ivan Lewis MP (@IvanLewis_MP) December 15, 2016

By appointing ex-Sinn Fein staffer Jayne Fisher to the leader's office, Labour has shot itself in the kneecap.

— Tom Harris (@MrTCHarris) December 14, 2016

To compound the Sinn Fein link controversy, Labour's new hire, Jayne Fisher, will have the dreadful title of 'stakeholder manager'

— Gerri Peev (@GerriPeev) December 14, 2016

And same eejits wetting themselves Corbyn was snapped with McGuinness & Adams will presumably want to criticise this lady for doing the same pic.twitter.com/YN9fRziDzw

— Kevin Maguire (@Kevin_Maguire) December 15, 2016

Mr Corbyn also voted down 1985’s Anglo-Irish Agreement, saying in the House of Commons that it ran counter to the goal of a united Ireland.

Sinn Féin have four MPs but they do not sit in Westminster as they refuse to pledge allegiance to the Queen.