Jeremy Corbyn’s key aides have launched an online fightback against the BBC’s Panorama investigation into anti-Semitism, urging MPs and activists to “drown out” the programme with the party’s message on the issue.
Leaked messages, passed to HuffPost UK, show the Labour leader’s allies advising his supporters to “park your emotions for a few days”, focus on Tory claims of Islamophobia and refrain from criticising deputy leader Tom Watson.
One particular piece of guidance for “outriders” and “socialist social media activists” tells them to repeat the message that Corbyn is not personally anti-Semitic and that general secretary Jennie Formby is reforming disciplinary processes to root out culprits.
The advice - which insiders claim was shared by his most senior aides - stresses that supporters should not interact with “trolls” and should stress that anti-Semitism is “a very very real and serious problem in Labour”.
“Jeremy Corbyn is not an Antisemite. Jennie is dealing with Antisemitism. It is a real and present problem,” it states.
The leaked guidance underlines how Corbyn’s inner circle rely on a trusted network of supporters online to amplify his message to bypass the ‘mainstream media’.
The first advice was sent out on Monday ahead of a Channel 4 Dispatches programme on Islamophobia. It was refined to address Wednesday’s Panorama.
UPDATE: A Labour source denied the guidance had been drafted by the party.
However, HuffPost understands that the material was shared and sent by a key aide to Corbyn.
The ‘response strategy’ was sent to “digital outriders”, grassroots Twitter and Facebook accounts who are among the Labour leader’s most avid supporters.
It was not sent to left-wing journalists who have backed Corbyn and continue to do so.
The advice in full:
RESPONSE STRATEGY TO PANORAMA DOC ON LABOUR ANTISEMITISM
Tonight C4 Dispatches are exposing Tory Islamophobia. Amplify. Amplify. Amplify.
Saturate Social Media with fact based videos, links & graphics of the times Jeremy has opposed Antisemitism for the next 4 days Saturate Social Media with fact based memes and videos of all the ways Jennie has tackled Antisemitism for the next four days
DO NOT ADVANCE ANY GENERAL CRITICISMS of Panorama or the show. They are correct to raise Antisemitism. It’s a very very real & serious problem in Labour that Jeremy & Jennie are tackling
DO NOT CRITICISE THE LABOUR RIGHT or WATSON over this next few days in relation to Antisemitism as this will play into their hands.
Your role is simple. Make sure the truth about Jeremy & Jennie drowns out everything Under your posts you will be trolled for daring to tell the truth.
Do not reply to the tweets under your posts. They are designed to slow you down & wear you out.
Stick to your MACRO MESSAGE. Do not reply to trolls
Keep your message sombre but factual. It’s a real problem & Jeremy and Jennie are dealing with it.
Try not to commentate on the documentary as it transpires. Try to keep your focus on getting your message out. Try to park your emotions for a few days.
A lot of this stuff will make you hurt & angry but that won’t aid the cause.
Stay cool and calm and stick to the facts. Jeremy Corbyn is not an Antisemite. Jennie is dealing with Antisemitism. It is a real and present problem.
And the ‘socialist social media’ guidance:
Outrider guidance
Edited down to be focused on today + to be tight for tweeting etc. I’ll use it later on today, unless any issues with this. No issues if anyone else wants to copy and use.
RESPONDING TO THE PANORAMA DOC ON LABOUR ANTISEMITISM
Jeremy Corbyn is not an Antisemite. Jennie is dealing with Antisemitism. It is a real and present problem.
Socialist Social Media activists, your role is simple. Make sure the truth about Jeremy & Jennie have done to tackle anti-Semitism is known. When you post you will be trolled for telling the truth. Do not reply to the tweets under your posts. They are designed to slow you down & wear you out. Stick to your message. Do not reply to trolls
Keep your message factual. AS is a real problem & Jeremy and Jennie are dealing with it.
Try not to commentate on the documentary as it airs. Keep your focus on getting your message out
Park your emotions. A lot of this stuff will make you hurt & angry. Stay cool and calm and stick to the facts.