'Let's hope a few more end up like Mike Gapes': Corbyn supporters celebrate as Labour MP who backs bombing in Syria is rushed to hospital with chest pains 

  • Ilford South MP Mike Gapes had emergency surgery over the weekend
  • Politician has been targeted by trolls because he backs bombing ISIS
  • Critics are calling him a 'stinking Red Tory' and hope he misses Syria vote
  • Friend Wes Streeting MP says there's 'rotten streak' running through party  
  • For more of the latest on the Labour party visit www.dailymail.co.uk/labour

By Martin Robinson for MailOnline

Published: | Updated:

Unwell: Labour MP Mike Gapes was rushed to hospital with chest pains but some are celebrating because he backs bombing ISIS in Syria

Unwell: Labour MP Mike Gapes was rushed to hospital with chest pains but some are celebrating because he backs bombing ISIS in Syria

A Labour MP rushed to hospital with chest pains has been targeted by Jeremy Corbyn supporters who are celebrating his life-threatening illness because he believes Britain should bomb Syria.

Mike Gapes, who represents Ilford South and has had emergency surgery after falling ill on Friday night, is being branded a 'stinking Red Tory' by trolls because he backs air strikes on ISIS.

Mr Gapes is recovering well in hospital after the operation but not all Labour supporters are wishing him well. 

His neighbouring Labour MP Wes Streeting, from Ilford North, posted a message on Facebook wishing him a speedy recovery but has revealed he was targeted by 'odious' trolls.

One Corbyn supporter called Mike Hemmings said: 'Maybe it's better if he resigns as MP then, after all Gapes is just another #RedTory. At least he wont be there to vote for air strikes on Syria'.

Others took to Twitter to celebrate Mr Gapes' illness because he was set to defy his party's leader and back the Government.

Rosa Luxenburg said she hoped more Labour MPs who plan to vote with David Cameron are struck down with chest pains.

She called the rebels #StinkingRedTories and said: 'Let's hope a few more end up like Mike Gapes'.

Another troll was asked by a Gapes supporter if it was 'too much to ask to wish him a speedy recovery'.

She replied: 'Would it be too much to ask if he abstained on Cameron's welfare reforms?'

The majority of people have been wishing Mr Gapes well, but Wes Streeting fears Labour is being overrun by left-wing 'bullies'.

'Bile': Labour MP Wes Streeting posted a message on Facebook wishing Mr Gapes well but one troll calling him a 'Red Tory' said it was good news because he will miss the Syria vote

'Bile': Labour MP Wes Streeting posted a message on Facebook wishing Mr Gapes well but one troll calling him a 'Red Tory' said it was good news because he will miss the Syria vote

Message: This troll said she hopes other Labour MPs who back bombing in Syria end up in hospital

Message: This troll said she hopes other Labour MPs who back bombing in Syria end up in hospital

Offensive: One troll said that those attacking Mr Gapes were not out of order because it was about politics not personal - adding MPs are too thin skinned

Offensive: One troll said that those attacking Mr Gapes were not out of order because it was about politics not personal - adding MPs are too thin skinned

He said: 'It shows how nasty some parts of the Labour party has become when they wish someone ill.

'I had to block one guy today who said: "I wish Mike a speedy recovery so he is well enough for the deselection process". It's unbelievable. 

'I think the overwhelming majority of Labour would wish Mike a speedy recovery but these is a rotten streak running through the party at the moment, and these messages show what's going on behind the scenes.

'These are people who have joined the party despite not believing what it stands for and after spending years campaigning against us.

'Some of these have repulsive views and they will try to bully anyone who disagrees with them. There is no place for it and I am disgusted by it'.

Criticism: Wes Streeting said that a left-wing faction had joined Labour as Jeremy Corbyn became leader even though they do not share Labour's values

Row: One Labour member asked a troll is she could wish Mike Gapes a speedy recovery and she refused to

Row: One Labour member asked a troll is she could wish Mike Gapes a speedy recovery and she refused to

Mr Gapes, 63, who has represented the Essex constituency of Ilford South since 1992, is seen as a Blairite who has been critical of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership.

Away from politics he suffered tragedy in 2012 after his teenage daughter Rebecca was found dead in her university bedroom after suffering a heart attack aged just 19.

Rebecca Gapes was found by a builder at her student house in Canterbury, Kent,  and Canterbury Coroner’s Court heard she died from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS), a rare condition in which the heart mysteriously stops.

Mr Gapes was in Australia when police woke him to tell him the tragic news. 

 

LabourJeremy CorbynSyria

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