The Walk-In: MP Rosie Cooper criticises ‘stupid’ ITV series dramatising real-life far-right plot to kill her
A Labour MP who was the target of a far-right murder plot has criticised a “stupid, stupid, stupid” ITV series dramatising the story.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Rosie Cooper accused the broadcaster of using her as a “marketing tool” over The Walk-In, starring Stephen Graham.
The drama focuses on informant Robbie Mullen, his handler at anti-fascism campaign group Hope not hate (Hnh), and how the organisation infiltrated banned far-right terror group National Action (NA) and prevented the planned attack on Ms Cooper in 2017.
Rosie Cooper was the target of a far-right murder plot in 2017. Pic: Twitter
Ms Cooper, currently MP for West Lancashire – although she is soon to stand down to take up a role with the NHS – told the Commons she was “appalled at ITV’s recent treatment of the threats to MPs”.
She said all the money generated from the TV series, which launched on 3 October, should be donated to the Jo Cox Foundation, which was set up following the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016.
“I have been used as a marketing tool by both Hope not hate and ITV,” Ms Cooper said. “What excuse is there for a press release that says, ‘Who is Rosie Cooper, and who wanted to murder her?’
“There is no defence to that. So, let’s test the public defence, the public interest defence, to their despicable behaviour and I call on Hope not hate and ITV to donate all money and profits generated from this TV series, both here and abroad, every single penny should go to the Jo Cox Foundation.
“We should not tolerate this kind of behaviour.”
Ms Cooper’s comments came after Alicia Kearns, Conservative chairwoman of the foreign affairs committee, raised a point of order about ensuring that “threats on the lives of our colleagues are not treated as entertainment”.
Jack Renshaw, now 27, from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, is currently serving a life sentence for preparing acts of terrorism, after admitting planning to kill Ms Cooper with a sword-like Gladius knife on the first day of a trial in 2018.
A spokesperson for ITV said the broadcaster was “very sympathetic to the horrific ordeal” Ms Cooper has been through, but pointed out that “this has never been the emphasis of our press and marketing” around The Walk-In.
Andrew Ellis and Dean-Charles Chapman also star in The Walk-In. Pic: ITV
“The series has never been described in this way in any ITV press release,” the spokesperson said. “From Hillsborough, Bloody Sunday, Appropriate Adult, Little Boy Blue, A Confession to The Lost Honour Of Christopher Jeffries, ITV has a long record of broadcasting factual dramas based on or representing real events.
“Like these, The Walk-In is an important story which we believe it is overwhelmingly in the public interest to broadcast. We always conduct the making of these series carefully and responsibly.”
Mr Mullen, a former member of NA, spent a prolonged time undercover as a mole for Hnh and passed information on to the police.
He is played by This Is England star Andrew Ellis in the series, while his handler Matthew Collins is played by Graham.
In response to Ms Cooper’s comments, a Hope not hate spokesperson said The Walk-In highlights “the very real danger of far-right extremism – especially for those in public life”.
In a statement, the spokesperson said. “We sympathise with Rosie Cooper for everything she has been through in recent years. No one should endure murder threats simply for doing their job.
“Clearly, we are disappointed to hear Rosie’s words in the chamber today. In 2017, several members of our organisation worked tirelessly and at tremendous sacrifice to themselves to foil the murder plot against Rosie Cooper.”
The spokesperson added: “We cannot change what has happened to Rosie Cooper, but we can continue to work to tackle far-right extremism”.
Entertainment
Snoop Dogg becomes co-owner and investor of Swansea football club saying it’s ‘an underdog just like me’
Police are taking no further action over Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury.
Officers said they had investigated “comments about a forthcoming court case made during Kneecap’s performance” at the festival on 28 June.
However, after Crown Prosecution Service advice, they decided there is not enough evidence “to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence”.
The Avon & Somerset force started investigating the Irish group’s show last month, as well as comments by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.
It said they were looking at a possible public order incident.
Police said on Friday that the investigation into Bob Vylan’s performance was ongoing.
The London duo were widely criticised – and caused a BBC crisis – after leading on-stage chants of “death to the IDF” (Israel Defence Forces).
Kneecap’s Liam Og O Hannaidh appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June. Pic: PA
Kneecap posted a photograph on Instagram, which the group said was an email from police announcing the case was being dropped.
They said their packed Glastonbury gig was a “celebration of love and solidarity” and reporting used “wildly misleading headlines”.
Fears over what Kneecap might do or say during the performance had prompted the BBC not to show it live.
The group said: “Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close… yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation.”
“There is no public apology, they don’t send this to media or post it on police accounts,” they added.
The police statement on Friday said they had informed Kneecap of their decision to drop the case.
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One of the group’s members appeared in court in June charged with a terror offence.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, at a gig last year.
He was released on unconditional bail ahead of a second court appearance in August.
Entertainment
Tomorrowland: ‘Devastating’ blaze destroys main stage at major festival – two days before it was due to begin
A huge fire has destroyed the main stage of a major festival in Belgium – two days before it was due to begin.
Tomorrowland is a dance music event as big as Glastonbury – and David Guetta was due to perform.
Footage showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the stage and spreading to nearby woodland on Wednesday.
The fire gutted the main stage
Fire crews attempt to bring the blaze under control
The annual festival in the town of Boom, north of Brussels, is one of the biggest in Europe and attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends.
It is famous for its immersive and elaborate designs and attracts big names within dance music – including Guetta, best known for tracks When Love Takes Over and Titanium.
Dutch DJs Martin Garrix and Charlotte de Witte were also due to perform, along with the likes of Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz and Alok.
Black smoke could be seen rising into the sky
The festival’s website described the creative elements which went into the elaborate main stage.
The theme, described as Orbyz, was “set in a magical universe made entirely out of ice” and “full of mythical creatures”.
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Organisers said no one was injured in the blaze but confirmed “our beloved main stage has been severely damaged”, adding they were “devastated”.
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen added: “We received some truly terrible news today. A fire broke out on the Tomorrowland site … and our main stage was essentially destroyed there, which is truly awful.
“That’s a stage that took years to build, with so much love and passion. So I think a lot of people are devastated.”
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen told reporters ‘a lot of people are devastated’
Despite the fire, Tomorrowland organisers said they were still expecting 38,000 festivalgoers at DreamVille, the event’s campsite.
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