Is Paul Mason a supporter of the Socialist Workers Party?

That’s the question being asked about the Newsnight economics editor over at Harry’s Place. I genuinely don’t know, is the rather worrying answer. The post continues:

What I do know is that last month, he took part in a meeting staged by the SWP front organisation “People Before Profit” alongside “SWP/Left Alternative supporter”, Graham Turner. His book was launched at the SWP bookshop. He spoke at the SWP conference in 2007.

It also notes that a lot of people – particularly on the left – supported extreme or silly causes in their youth, but as we’ve flagged up Mason is still quoting Che Guevara in middle age. And, as it says, the SWP is hardly harmless fun:

…in the past ten years [it] has devoted its energies to promoting speakers from Hamas and Hezbollah, lying about their genocidal racism, and promoting the viciously antisemitic Gilad Atzmon.

I do not think that a BBC journalist would participate in three events organised by the BNP or BNP front organisations. I am suprised that Newsnight’s Economic editor – of all things! – feels comfortable participating in SWP events.

I agree – well, apart from the bit about being surprised.