Piers Corbyn

[[File:Piers Corbyn London Mayor Announcement.png|thumb|right|165px|Poers Corbyn in 2020.]]
{{DenialismSide|1}}
{{hatnote|Not to be confused with ''[[Piers Morgan]]''}}
'''Piers Richard Corbyn''' {{lived|10 March 1947|}} is the [[United Kingdom|British]] owner/operator of WeatherAction, a website that claims to accurately predict the weather in [[Great Britain]] and [[Ireland]] for much longer than the standard accuracy time frame of 5 days that most meteorologists agree on. Currently, he makes predictions 30, 45, and 60 days in advance. In the past, Corbyn claimed to be able to make predictions between 9 months and a year ahead. Corbyn has an honours degree in [[physics]] at Imperial College London and studied [[astrophysics]] in 1979 at Queen Mary College (no degree recorded).

Before 2020, his prime claim to fame was his rampant [[climate change denialism]]. He is now most prominently known, however, as a [[COVID-19 denialism|COVID-19 denialist]], becoming a relatively prominent face in the UK's anti-mask and anti-vaccine movement and hosting/attending numerous demonstrations and protests, as well as producing an array of stultifyingly awful denialist content on social media.

He is the older brother of former [[Labour Party]] leader [[Jeremy Corbyn]].<ref>{{wpa|Piers Corbyn}}</ref> 

==Weather and climate==
He also frequently bets on the accuracy of the results, and he founded a company to profit off his predictions in 1997. It was later taken private in 1999 due to staggering losses of £70,000 in the first year, and £480,000 in the second.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/1999/nov/24/14 Weather goes private again] by Dan Atkinson (23 Nov 1999 19.58 EST) ''The Guardian''.</ref> Corbyn claimed that the failure was because of his company's small size compared to high overhead, which is bizarre after public statements that the business was doing great, "turning over" £250,000 compared to overhead costs of ~£70,000.

Most [[scientists]], on the other hand, completely ignored him, as his estimates are so vague that the weather needs to be well off to be wrong. Taking into account how vague he can be, like giving "high winds" and "heavy rain" as a prediction, he is still largely wrong when compared to the observed weather.<ref>[http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/7.02/howgood.html How Good Is He, Anyway? How accurate are Piers Corbyn's long-range forecasts? There's really no way to tell. You can of course compare them with the observed weather, but, straightforward as that sounds, it's an imperfect method since Corbyn's forecasts speak in general terms. Some investigators have tried indirect analysis of the reliability of Corbyn's predictions. Dennis Wheeler, a geography] by Dan Brekke (02.01.1999 12:00 PM) ''Wired''.</ref> In 2007, some people who had tired of his whining took a look at his forecast for killer storms to lash Britain on the 17<sup>th</sup> of October, and the last week of November…<ref>[https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/22322/Killer-storms-to-lash-Britain Killer storms to lash Britain] by Jo Macfarlane (00:00, Wed, Oct 17, 2007) ''The Express''.</ref> which never happened. Undeterred by his abject failure, he predicted January 2008 to be a period of intense cold (-17°C)<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/jan/02/weather.world Prediction of -17C freeze cuts no ice with Met Office] by Helen Pidd (2 Jan 2008 11.28 EST) ''The Guardian''.</ref> &mdash; it turned out to be one of the warmest Januarys on record. Corbyn has made it a bit difficult after those highly-mocked failures to criticize his inaccuracies due to him banning the use of extracts of his works and suing most anyone who tries.

Corbyn claims an 85% accuracy rate<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110429194256/http://www.weatheraction.com/ WeatherAction] (archived from April 29, 2011).</ref> due to predicting landfall of a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal between May 24<sup>th</sup>/26<sup>th</sup> 2009 (a pretty common event that time of year), and a [[peer-reviewed]] paper in the ''Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics''.<ref>"A verification of UK gale forecasts by the 'solar weather technique': October 1995–September 1997" by Dennis Wheeler (2001) ''Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics'' 63(1):29-34.</ref> The journal has a history of publishing a number of badly-written [[Global warming conspiracy theory|global warming denialism]] papers from seemingly anyone who can fit a piece of paper in the mail slot with proper postage that is not covered in feces. This includes Peter Laut's paper "Solar activity and terrestrial climate: an analysis of some purported correlations"<ref>{{wpa|Peter Laut}}</ref> and Henrik Svensmark's theories on cosmic rays destroying clouds.<ref>{{wpa|Henrik Svensmark}}</ref> Corbyn is also a very big proponent of [[global cooling]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110718010054/http://www.weatheraction.com/pages/pv.asp?p=wact10&fsize=0https://web.archive.org/web/20110718010054/http://www.weatheraction.com/pages/pv.asp?p=wact10&fsize=0 Initial response to BBC2 'Climate Wars' 14th Sep 2008 by Piers Corbyn, astrophysicist of WeatherAction long-range forecasters.] (18 Jul 2011) ''WeatherAction'' (archived from July 18, 2011).</ref> and states quite firmly that CO<sub>2</sub> doesn't cause warming while being interviewed by [[tin foil hat]]ter [[Alex Jones]].<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SllWdXdzxDc Youtube Interview of Alex Jone's Show]</ref>

==Conspiracy theories and denialism==
During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Corbyn organized an apparently mostly-[[Face masks|maskless]] rally at Trafalgar Square, after which, he was arrested and fined "£10,000 for the offence of holding a gathering of more than 30 people in an outdoor place."<ref name=gayle>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/30/piers-corbyn-fined-10000-for-organising-anti-lockdown-rally Piers Corbyn fined £10,000 for organising anti-lockdown rally: Brother of Jeremy Corbyn targeted under law restricting gatherings of more than 30 people] by Damien Gayle (30 Aug 2020 17.05 EDT) ''The Guardian''.</ref> The rally included a coalition of [[denialists]] and [[conspiracy theorists]]: [[anti-vaxxers]], [[5G]] conspiracy theorists, and [[QAnon]].<ref name=gayle/> These groups appear to have been invited, as they align with Corbyn's beliefs:
*Anti-vaccination conspiracy theories, including those involving [[Bill Gates]] and [[George Soros]]<ref>[https://archive.ph/TSqDD THE CV PANDEMIC WAS SIMULATED OCT 2019 BY MEGA-RICH CONTROL FREAKS BILL GATES, GEORGE SOROS +CRONIES. NOW IT'S FOR REAL. THE AIM IS A WORLD POPULATION CULL ("PEOPLE cause #CO2 problem") by THEIR mass VACCINATION PLAN CONTAINING POISON. *REFUSE*CV*VACCINE*] by Piers Corbyn (1:48 AM · Mar 16, 2020) ''Twitter'' (archived from 8 Jul 2020 10:32:18 UTC).</ref><ref>[https://archive.ph/wip/L1bo9 Bill Gates Vaccine Killed 10x More Children than unvaccinated for the Target Diseases (DTP) …] by Piers Corbyn (12:46 PM · Apr 24, 2020) ''Twitter'' (archived from 15 Nov 2020 08:01:57 UTC).</ref>
*5G conspiracy theories<ref>[https://archive.ph/wip/ggmJg "Labelling Black people as CONTAGION carriers is to Divide+Rule and impose Deadly VAX on AFRICA" warns #PiersCorbyn 10DowningSt 22June. "Just like for Climate Lies THEY CONTROL THE DATA to trick us into a new Lockdown & Vax+Trax; AND they'll turn up 5G to make us ill. …] by Piers Corbyn (Jun 23, 2020) ''Twitter'' (archived from 15 Nov 2020 08:05:38 UTC).</ref>
*QAnon<ref>[https://archive.ph/Wqk5f #HumanTrafficking and #Child #abuse and disappearance is also rife in #UK #EU-#UN-#NGOs ALL #politicians should follow #Trump's lead in #ChildAbusePrevention. #Telford #JimmySavile #WestMinster #MPs #EdwardHeath #BBCCoverUp #Pedogate #Obama-#Clinton-#Soros (proven #Nazi). #QAnon] by Piers Corbyn (7:57 PM - 1 Apr 2018) ''Twitter'' (archived from 22 Apr 2018 07:14:09 UTC).</ref>
*[[Depopulation conspiracy theory]] (blaming his frequent targets, Gates, Soros and [[Greta Thunberg]])<ref>[https://archive.ph/wip/aPIec Replying to @ClimateRealists and @MailOnline I was in fact a bit more circumspect than @MailOnline 16Mar claim when I RTed scary info on #Gates+#Soros pro-vaccine +depopulation Event201] by Piers Corbyn (Marcy 27, 2020) ''Twitter'' (archived from 15 Nov 2020 20:12:27 UTC).</ref>

Following the rally, Corbyn did a TV interview with his namesake journalist [[Piers Morgan]] (who [[Jeremy Corbyn|also]] has a brother called Jeremy) in which he:<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elf6h_K4JH0 Piers Corbyn Denies the Coronavirus Pandemic & Says It's a 'Psychological Operation' | GMB]</ref>
* [[COVID-19 denialism|Denied]] the existence of COVID-19 and called it "a psychological operation to close down the economy in the interests of [[Big Pharma|megacorporations]]".
* Tried to trick Morgan into promoting his next rally.
* Claimed that modern vaccines are poisonous and that the original vaccines "might have worked".
* Peddled debunked myths that [[hydroxychloroquine]] is a cure for COVID-19 and that 5G WiFI masts damage people's immune systems.

Other conspiracies that Corbyn has promoted:
*[[Pizzagate]]<ref>[https://archive.ph/wip/3YY62 HORRIFIC but then #Clinton Bill is a known #Rapist and #Hilary covers for him. #PizzaGate looks more credible. #Qatar backs #Clinton+#Isis] by Piers Corbyn (11:15 PM · Jan 1, 2017) ''Twitter'' (archived from 15 Nov 2020 18:40:25 UTC).</ref><ref>[https://archive.ph/POVPj search: pizzagate (from:Piers_Corbyn)] by Piers Corbyn, ''Twitter'' (archived from 15 Nov 2020 18:41:36 UTC).</ref>
*[[Deep state]]<ref>[https://archive.ph/wip/wz3hK They're escaping the #4thReich #Ready4BREXIT #WTOBREXIT #Oct31 #THINKagainstFalseNarratives Break-Up the #globalists raft of false narratives: =>#ProjectFear =>#UN-#EU-#4thReich-#FakeScience DeepState sponsored #ClimateEmergency-#DataFraud #CarbonTax+#BanMeat! #CO2isGOOD4You] by Piers Corbyn (3:32 AM · Aug 14, 2019·Twitter Web App) ''Twitter'' (archived from 15 Nov 2020 18:45:22 UTC).</ref><ref>[https://archive.ph/wip/8qAK4 search: deepstate (from:Piers_Corbyn)] by Piers Corbyn, ''Twitter'' (archived from 15 Nov 2020 18:47:36 UTC).</ref>
*That [[Antifa]] is a [[fascist]] organization run by Soros<ref>[https://archive.ph/wip/HiHnk #StopTheCoup thugs are tools of the #EU-#4thReich & use actual Nazi type tactics of calling your enemy what you are. Their #FakeAnger chants #CoverUp their evil #antidemocratic lack of ANY Argument against #Brexit/#NoDealBrexit. - Standard #antifa #Soros-backed type thuggery?] by Piers Corbyn (1:49 AM · Aug 30, 2019) ''Twitter'' (archived from 15 Nov 2020 20:20:50 UTC).</ref><ref>[https://archive.ph/wip/u3IQg President Trump's anti-insurrection /martial law move INCLUDES "defence of your Second Amendment Rights"
THIS surely spells the end of #antifa & their evil boss #Soros. They're mercenary cowards. Most will run. The rest will likely be shot by the people.] by Piers Corbyn (1:12 AM · Jun 2, 2020) ''Twitter'' (archived from 15 Nov 2020 20:28:12 UTC).</ref>

==Inciting violence==

Corbyn was arrested in the early hours of Sunday 19th December 2021 after video emerged of him urging supporters to burn down the offices of MPs and to 'hammer to death those scum' responsible for lockdowns and COVID-19 vaccines.<ref>[https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/piers-corbyn-tells-anti-vax-crowd-to-e2-80-98burn-down-mps-e2-80-99-offices-e2-80-99-as-priti-patel-urges-police-e2-80-98to-take-action-e2-80-99/ar-AARXgwF?ocid=uxbndlbing Independent]</ref><ref>[https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/newslondon/piers-corbyn-arrested-after-urging-public-to-e2-80-98burn-mps-e2-80-99-offices-e2-80-99/ar-AARX9qA?ocid=uxbndlbing Evening Standard]</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-59717571 BBC]</ref>

==Miscellaneous==
Corbyn also has a history of being an activist in the {{wpl|International Marxist Group}} (IMG) for [[squatters rights]] in the North Paddington area of Westminster throughout the 1970s.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/sep/23/organise-to-resist-the-radical-posters-of-the-paddington-printshop 'Organise to resist’: the radical posters of the Paddington Printshop: Operating from an old factory in north-west London, John Phillips and the Paddington Printshop revolutionised the promotion of squatters’ rights and housing campaigns throughout the 1970s and 80s] by Peter Watts (23 Sep 2019 02.00 EDT) ''The Guardian''.</ref> <ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jan/24/piers-corbyn-other-rebel-in-the-family-jeremy-corbyn-climate-change Piers Corbyn: the other rebel in the family] by Tim Adams (24 Jan 2016 04.30 EST) ''The Guardian''.</ref>

His brother [[Jeremy Corbyn|Jeremy]] was the leader of the [[Labour Party]] from 2015 to 2020 and has been MP for Islington North since 1983. Unlike Piers, Jeremy holds the scientifically-accepted position on anthropogenic global warming, ''i.e.'' that it exists and is a serious problem. He also, again unlike Piers and again in line with the scientifically accepted position, accepts that COVID-19 exists, that COVID-19 is a real problem, and that the vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are safe and effective; although he is (coincidentally, and for entirely different, less stupid reasons than Piers) against government vaccine mandates.

==See also==
*[[Astrophysics]]
*[[Squatters rights]]

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Corbyn, Piers}}
[[Category:Anti-vaccination movement]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Denialists]]
[[Category:Global warming denialists]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Pseudoscience promoters]]
[[Category:QAnon]]
[[Category:COVID-19 denialists]]

Categories: Anti-vaccination movement, Conspiracy theorists, Denialists, Global warming denialists, Living people, Pseudoscience promoters, QAnon, COVID-19 denialists