Jeremy Corbyn hits back at Keir Starmer after being 'banned' from standing in North London
Jeremy Corbyn has said Sir Keir Starmer barring him from standing as a Labour candidate at the next general election is a 'flagrant attack' on democracy. He said it was a distraction from their goal of 'defeating the Conservatives'.
Former Labour leader Mr Corbyn, who currently sits as an independent MP, hit out at his successor – describing the move as a “divisive distraction from our overriding goal: to defeat the Conservative Party."
It comes after Sir Keir for the first time unequivocally barred Mr Corbyn from standing as a Labour candidate at the next general election.
Responding to Sir Keir, Mr Corbyn added: “Any attempt to block my candidacy is a denial of due process, and should be opposed by anybody who believes in the value of democracy.”
On an “important day” for Labour, Sir Keir welcomed the equalities watchdog’s decision to lift the party out of two years of special measures over its past failings on antisemitism.
He used a speech on Wednesday to invite his opponents on the Labour left to leave the party which he said is now “unrecognisable” from its form under Mr Corbyn.
“Let me be very clear, Jeremy Corbyn will not stand at the next general election as a Labour Party candidate,” Sir Keir said in east London.What I said about the party changing I meant and we are not going back.”