Because of the anti-imperialist stance he has taken all his life

ormer Labour candidate for the West Midland Mayoral post.

In her speech, Ms Yaqoob openly suggested that Israel had mounted an "international assault"  on "all progressive movements" with false smears of antisemitism.

The Labour activist  claimed there was an attempt to "break" Mr Corbyn "as a man" and added, "they are after us all, not just Labour members."

She described it as "shame" that both the former MP Chris Williamson and ex-Momentum vice-chair Jackie Walker had both been ousted from the Labour Party following antisemitism claims.

Continuing with her inflammatory claims, Ms Yaqoob said she was saying "nothing new" when she asked: “Who owns the media?  How much money they have … what their agenda is."

She said the suspension of the former Labour leader was "just another step in the war against Jeremy Corbyn that we did not begin".

Ms Yaqoob said he had been targeted, like others, because of the "anti-imperialist stance he has taken all his life."

Ooh Corbyn will have liked that – it chimes exactly with his own view! The man of purity, with not a racist bone in his body, smeared by the international lackeys of capitalism and imperialism because of the threat he represents to the established order. And, in particular, to Israel.

"The common thread in all of this any organisation who has dared to critique the Israeli government's oppression of Palestinians has been made open season."

The former Respect Party member said this was the reason there was now a "witch hunt" against  Labour activists.

Later in the meeting, Alison McGarry, the chair of Mr Corbyn's Islington North Labour Party, confirmed she had spoken to him that day.

She said: "I spoke to Jeremy this afternoon, and I know Laura Alvarez was in this meeting. I hope Laura Alvarez is still here – solidarity with Laura.

"Jeremy spoke to me today, he thanked everyone for the rallies – he feels it has made a significant difference.

"He passed on his greetings."

Starmer has a battle on his hands. The hard left aren't going away any time soon. And Corbyn seems to be making it clear that he still sees himself as their leader-in-exile.