Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana have engaged in a public dispute over the membership system for their fledgling political party. Sultana has accused her colleagues of operating a "sexist boys' club" after being frozen out of party decisions.
The row erupted on Thursday morning when an invitation was sent to supporters of the unnamed party, currently referred to as "Your Party" in campaign materials. The email invited members to officially sign up and provide financial backing to the organisation.
Corbyn warns against unauthorised sign-ups
Corbyn swiftly condemned the email as "unauthorised" and issued a public warning to supporters not to sign up via the link. The former Labour leader and Independent MP for Islington North posted a statement on social media advising that any direct debits should be "immediately cancelled".
The statement also revealed that "legal advice is being taken" over the incident. Corbyn's message was co-signed by four other Independent MPs who have formed an ad-hoc parliamentary group with him: Ayoub Khan, Adnan Hussain, Iqbal Mohammed and Shockat Adam.
Sultana defends membership portal
Sultana responded defiantly on X, defending her decision to launch the membership portal. The Coventry South MP said: "After being sidelined by the MPs named in today's statement and effectively frozen out of the official accounts, I took the step of launching a membership portal so that supporters could continue to engage and organise."
Despite Corbyn's warning, she urged supporters to "sign up now", describing the portal as a "safe, secure, legitimate" means of becoming a party member. Sultana added: "My sole motivation has been to safeguard the grassroots involvement that is essential in building this party."
She then made her most serious accusation, stating: "Unfortunately I have been subjected to what can only be described as a sexist boys' club: I have been treated appallingly and excluded completely."
History of disagreements
This dispute marks the latest in a series of disagreements between the two MPs over the party's establishment. Earlier this year, Sultana announced she would be setting up the new left-wing political party with Corbyn before he appeared ready to confirm this was the case.
Sultana has also reportedly clashed with Independent MP for Blackburn Adnan Hussain over their different views on trans rights.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
