Australia's domestic spy chief has strongly condemned an alleged attempt by News Corp staff to provoke workers at a Middle Eastern restaurant in Sydney, branding the stunt "mind-blowingly stupid" and "unhelpful." The incident, which involved a confrontation at Cairo Takeaway in Newtown, led to police being called to the scene.
The controversy unfolded after reports emerged of a News Corp Australia team, accompanied by a man wearing a Star of David cap, allegedly attempting to elicit prejudicial comments from the restaurant's staff. The incident occurred earlier this month and has since sparked widespread criticism.
ASIO Chief's Strong Words
During a Senate estimates hearing, the ASIO chief expressed his dismay at the alleged actions, stating that they were not only foolish but also detrimental. The Daily Telegraph editor has since stated that they "never intended to provoke an incident" but admitted that the approach "could have been 'better-handled'."
The incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding media ethics and the potential for journalistic practices to inflame sensitive situations. The ASIO chief's intervention underscores the seriousness with which the Australian government views such actions.
Blue Labour Under Scrutiny
In other political news, a series of letters published in response to an article examining "Blue Labour" question whether the political movement offers a viable solution to Keir Starmer's current challenges. The letters focus on Maurice Glasman, a key figure associated with Blue Labour, and his past controversial statements.
One letter writer, Jim Denham, argues that Glasman's views "pander to Faragism," citing an interview from 2011 where Glasman advocated for restrictions on immigration and expressed support for prioritizing British workers.
"Completely. The people who live here are the highest priority. We’ve got to listen and be with them. They’re in the right place – it’s us who are not." - Maurice Glasman, 2011
These resurfaced statements have reignited debate about the direction of the Labour Party and the potential pitfalls of embracing policies that could be perceived as exclusionary or aligned with far-right ideologies. The letters raise questions about the suitability of Blue Labour as a strategy for addressing Keir Starmer's political woes.
Both the News Corp incident and the scrutiny of Blue Labour highlight the complex and often fraught landscape of contemporary Australian and British politics.