Owen Jones accuses Labour of ‘Trumpian behaviour’ after being kicked out of party conference

The Labour Party has reportedly banned Owen Jones from its annual conference over what it described as “safeguarding obligations.”

The 41-year-old out gay journalist shared an email he received from the Labour Party’s conference team on Monday (30 September) stating his pass had been revoked “with immediate effect.”

A spokesperson for Labour said it had made the decision “following complaints we have received about your conduct.”

“We have a responsibility to safeguard all our delegates, staff, volunteers, and visitors, and to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for everyone at conference,” the email continues.

“After careful consideration, we’ve concluded that we cannot continue your attendance while ensuring we meet our safeguarding obligations to all attendees.”

Responding to the ban in an Instagram post, Jones said he had been questioning Cabinet members and MPs about the arms licensing deals between the UK and Israel as part of his annual video series confronting politicians at party conferences.

Since 2015, the UK has licensed at least £500 million worth of military exports to Israel, including military drones and vehicles. According to Oxfam, the UK provides approximately 15 per cent of the components in F-35 fighter jets, which are used in airstrikes in Palestinian territories.

Jones said that suggesting his attempts to interview Party members were a “safeguarding issue” is, he argued, “clearly insane.”

The email did not delve into the specifics of the complaints, nor did it cite specific conduct by Jones for the decision.

“I’ve been filming videos at Labour and Tory Conference for a decade now,” Jones wrote. “This involves trying to get ministers to answer questions which – unfortunately! – most media outlets refuse to ask.

“The Labour government has armed and facilitated one of the worst crimes of our rage. They can try and shut down scrutiny of this fact – but they will not wash away their guilt.”

As of 17 September, at least 66,414 Palestinians and 1,983 Israelis had been reported killed since Israel began bombing Gaza in retaliation to the 7 October attacks in 2023.

The middle-eastern country has also been heavily condemned for continuing to block humanitarian aid, including food and medical supplies, to the Gaza strip. The Intrgrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPCS) declared a famine in parts of Gaza.

Jones, a vocal critic of Israel’s continued bombing of Gaza, said Labour’s decision to ban him was “absolutely pathetic, Trumpian behaviour.”

“Anyway, I’ve already left conference, but our annual video will be up soon!” he continued.