John McDonnell (politician)

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John Martin McDonnell (born on September 8 1951, Harwich) is a British politician and Labour Member of Parliament for Hayes and Harlington. He was Ken Livingstone's deputy leader of the Greater London Council, and is a member of the Socialist Campaign Group.

McDonnell has a close interest in Irish politics, including the Irish in Britain Representation Group (IBRG), but has also been accused of justifying IRA atrocities. In May 2003, he provoked anger among many Conservative and Ulster Unionist MPs, when he called for "the bravery and sacrifice" of the IRA "to be honoured", arguing that "the peace we have now is due to the action of the IRA". However, he did not face disciplinary action, in spite of calls for him to be expelled.

He is also a Eurosceptic, and has voted against the government many times.

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