We've updated our Privacy and Cookies Policy
We've made some important changes to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and we want you to know what this means for you and your data.
Winston Churchill 'villain' over Tonypandy riots, says John McDonnell
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has called Sir Winston Churchill a "villain" over his role in dealing with striking miners in 1910.
Asked at a Politico website event, for a one-word answer on whether Churchill was a hero or villain, he paused and replied: "Tonypandy - villain".
The Tonypandy riots saw troops sent to control striking miners who wrecked shops and mine owners' property.
The wartime PM was voted the greatest Briton in a ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ poll in 2002.
His grandson Sir Nicholas Soames described Mr McDonnell's remark as "a very foolish and stupid thing to say".
The Conservative MP: "I think my grandfather's reputation can withstand a publicity-seeking assault from a third-rate, Poundland Lenin. I don't think it will shake the world."
And the prime minister's official spokesman said: "The British public will reach its own judgement on this characterisation of Sir Winston Churchill."
The spokesman added that Theresa May had a portrait of Churchill hanging on the wall of her study in Number 10 and paid tribute to his "strong leadership, determination and unwavering personality" which "inspired our country through our darkest hour".
Asked about his comments later, Mr McDonnell the Churchill "was obviously a hero during the Second World War but there was another side to Churchill".
He said many working class people had been angry about his actions as home secretary during the Tonypandy riots.
He added: "If it's prompted a more rounded debate about Churchill's role, well I welcome it."
Labour MP Ian Austin posted a picture of the wartime leader on social media, calling him "a real British hero".
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter and before accepting. To view this content choose 'accept and continue'.
End of Twitter content, 1
And former foreign secretary Boris Johnson tweeted that the UK's debt to Churchill was "incalculable":
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter and before accepting. To view this content choose 'accept and continue'.
End of Twitter content, 2
But Mr McDonnell had some support from Labour's MP for the Rhondda, Chris Bryant, who said Churchill was "never welcome" in his constituency:
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter and before accepting. To view this content choose 'accept and continue'.
End of Twitter content, 3
And former Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood agreed with the shadow chancellor:
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter and before accepting. To view this content choose 'accept and continue'.
End of Twitter content, 4
The Tonypandy riots took place on the evenings of 7 and 8 November 1910 and involved violent clashes between striking miners and the police, with soldiers arriving on the second day.
One miner was killed.
The incident haunted Churchill for the rest of his career and many of his critics saw it as an anti-trade union stance.
Image source, AFP
Top Stories
More to explore
Most read
Content is not available