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Good that Lord Austin of Dudley has got out ahead of this, rumours of indiscretions with animals can dog a man and affect his reputation to the point where when you hear "Ian Austin..." you automatically add "...fucks dogs" as a reflex. Thankfully that's been avoided. https://twitter.com/LordIanAustin/status/1338556246782332929
I'd like to make it clear to Lord Austin (and his lawyers, who apparently like to watch) that I have never suggested that he likes to fuck dogs and, without evidence to the contrary, will never do so.
My objections to the man are rooted in more concrete issues. It is my opinion that he is dreadful because he worked alongside the Conservative party to defeat Labour at the last election, explicitly writing to voters to that effect on materials provided by the Conservatives.
It would appear he prefers Johnson, with his more explicit supposed racism, than that of Jeremy Corbyn's apparent (and extremely well hidden) racism, and let voters know that Johnson's style is preferable to him in Conservative party provided materials.
Hey fact fans, just letting you know that Ian Austin received a peerage from the Conservative party, and now sits in the House of Lords as a lifelong peer.
Anyway, back to main thrust. Ian Austin also receives my opprobrium for his conduct in the House of Commons where, during the LOTO Jeremy Corbyn's apology to the families of British service personnel during the Iraq War for the failings of the Labour government in pursuing that
war (as part of the party's response to the Chilcot Report) Austin made the remarkable decision to heckle Corbyn during that apology and disrupt a statement of solidarity with the families of service personnel.
If you missed it at the time, here is an article outlining the episode, including mention of the Speaker having to intervene and numerous MPs condemning his "bullying" actions. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/chilcot-report-jeremy-corbyn-heckled-labour-mp-ian-austin-accused-of-being-bully-iraq-war-a7125196.html
Speaking of conduct, Ian Austin was also alleged to have verbally abused fellow MP Ian Lavery, conduct which resulted in him receiving a warning from the general secretary regarding future aggressive behaviour. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/labour-mp-ian-austin-accuses-jeremy-corbyn-of-defending-antisemites-as-he-faces-action-over-row-a3898911.html
Interestingly, here Austin appears to be suggesting that the leader intervene personally in the disciplinary process in some way.
Another one for you fact lovers, Ian Austin voted 3 times against an inquiry in the Iraq War.
I'll include the link, cos it's important to be able to back up your facts, lest the lawyers-who-like-to-watch get antsy. https://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/11553/lord_austin_of_dudley/divisions
Finally, I also dislike Ian Austin because of his repeated anti-immigrant rhetoric. It is my *opinion* that such rhetoric has added fuel to the flames of a broader reactionary and racist tendency in this country. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/labour-mp-ian-austin-make-8016719
However, I would not state that Ian Austin has ever made the beast with two backs with any kind of actual beast. I would like to make that absolutely clear.
I hope the Lord Ian Austin and his ever vigilant lawyers are satisfied with the accuracy and fairness of my statements here, but if any of what I've said proves to be untrue I will happily retract and apologise. It is my desire only to speak the truth.
