“I condemn all the bombing by both the loyalists and the IRA.”
Condemnation of the IRA. Literally a quote by the man.
SR: So can you condemn unequivocally the IRA?
JEREMY CORBYN: Look, bombing is wrong, of course all bombing is wrong, of course I condemn it.
SR: You are condemning all bombing but can you condemn the IRA without equating it to …?
JEREMY CORBYN: No, I think what you have to say is all bombing has to be condemned and you have to bring about a peace process. Listen …
SR: But do you condemn the IRA?
JEREMY CORBYN: Wait a minute, can you allow me to finish please? In the 1980s Britain was looking for a military solution in Ireland: it clearly was never going to work, ask anyone in the British Army at that time. Therefore you have to seek a peace process. You condemn the violence of those that laid bombs that killed large numbers of innocent people and I do.
SR: But can you condemn the IRA, who were responsible for …
JEREMY CORBYN: I just condemned all those that do bombing, all those on both sides.
SR: If you let me finish as well after I let you finish that would be appreciated.
JEREMY CORBYN: All those on both sides that laid bombs.
SR: But can you condemn the IRA who were responsible for 60% of the deaths during the Troubles with the British security services who were responsible for 10%?
JEREMY CORBYN: And there were Loyalist bombs as well which you haven’t mentioned.
SR: Yes, 30%.
JEREMY CORBYN: There were Loyalist bombs as well. I condemn all the bombing by both the Loyalists and the IRA.
This is what allows Sky News etc to claim - 'Corbyn refuses 5/6 times...'.
Just say it in the first sentence.
And if we're going to be precise and semantic - because Corbyn certainly was - at no time did he infact condemn the IRA, full stop. He condemned bombing by the IRA. If the media really wanted to go for Corbyn, they'd ask him if he condemned so-called military operations conducted by the IRA against UK military targets. They'd ask him if he thought the IRA had a right to resist British occupation. Now that would be an interesting exchange.