"Diplomatic efforts" are under way to resolve a damaging public dispute that has erupted between Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana over their new political party, according to PA Media. Sources close to both politicians are working behind the scenes to mediate and salvage the future of the as-yet unnamed political venture.
The row centres on a controversial membership system launched by Sultana on Thursday morning. An invitation was sent to supporters of the party, currently operating under the name "Your Party", asking them to officially sign up and provide financial backing.
Corbyn warns against membership system
Corbyn described the email as "unauthorised" and warned supporters not to sign up via the link in a social media statement. The former Labour leader and Independent MP for Islington North said "legal advice is being taken" over the message, which featured the names of four other Independent MPs in his parliamentary group. Any direct debits should be "immediately cancelled", his message stated.
The dispute involves Independent MPs Ayoub Khan, Adnan Hussain, Iqbal Mohammed and Shockat Adam, who have formed an ad-hoc parliamentary group with Corbyn. Sultana, the Independent MP for Coventry South, defended her actions and urged supporters to continue using the membership portal.
Accusations of exclusion and sexism
Sultana 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." She insisted the portal was a "safe, secure, legitimate" means of becoming a party member and accused her colleagues of running a "sexist boys' club".
"Unfortunately I have been subjected to what can only be described as a sexist boys' club: I have been treated appallingly and excluded completely," Sultana added. She claimed her sole motivation was to "safeguard the grassroots involvement that is essential in building this party".
Party reports itself to data watchdog
The party escalated the dispute by reporting itself to the Information Commissioner's Office over the morning email. Officials claimed a "false membership system has been unilaterally launched" and that data had been collected and payments taken without proper authorisation.
The party described the developments as a "blow for everyone who has put their hope in a real alternative" but insisted Sultana "has not been excluded from any discussions". The data controller cited "responsibilities to our supporters and duties under the law" in flagging the matter with the ICO.
This latest controversy follows a series of disagreements between Corbyn and Sultana over the party's direction. The political venture has yet to hold an annual conference or settle on an official name, despite building significant momentum with more than 750,000 supporters signed up since its launch.
Companies House records show Corbyn ceased to be a person with significant control of Your Party UK Ltd on September 15th. This change occurred because the former Labour leader fell below the required threshold as other Independent MPs became directors of the company.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
