Islington Labour Councillor Suspended After Backing Jeremy Corbyn

Islington Labour councillor Phil Graham has been suspended after openly backing independent candidate Jeremy Corbyn on social media today, PoliticsHome understands.

Corbyn, who led the Labour Party from 2015 to 2020, confirmed publicly today that he will be standing as an independent candidate against Labour in Islington North at the general election on 4 July.

Writing for his local paper The Islington Tribune, he said: "The issues facing people in Islington North – child poverty, sky-high rents, crumbling schools, pollution an NHS under attack – are part a much wider, national set of crises."

Now the first Islington councillor to declare their backing for the former leader has been suspended.

Graham, a Labour councillor for Bunhill ward in Islington and a trade union liaison officer in Islington South Labour, posted on Facebook: "If you live in Islington North, there is only one candidate you should be considering in the general election, Jeremy Corbyn."

He also shared details of leafleting sessions for activists wanting to campaign for Corbyn in the constituency.

After the general election was announced, the Labour Party rushed through its selection process for Islington North, which had already started, and today unveiled its candidate as Islington councillor Praful Nargund.

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