launcher 1.6.44 wont start after first use on linux

launcher wont start a second time.
Actions to recreate.
Deleete launcher.jar from ,minecraft directory.
start Minecraft.jar.
downloads the launcher and starts ok.
Stop launcher and try and restart Minecraft.jar . Mincraft jar starts and but stops at the point it says Starting Launcher.
I cant find any relevant logs.
have deleted .minecraft dir and deleted and re-downloaded the minecraft.jar and everything works the first time but not the second.