Labour row erupts as Keir Starmer reveals candidate who will run against Jeremy Corbyn

Labour activists in Jeremy Corbyn's constituency have furiously hit out at the party after it unveiled its general election candidate for the seat.

Sir Keir Starmer's party has selected Praful Nargund, a local councillor who runs a chain of IVF clinics, to run against the former Labour leader in Islington North.

Mr Corbyn announced his decision to stand as an independent after being blocked from standing for Labour.

In a statement, officials in the Islington North Constituency Labour Party (CLP) said they discovered a different candidate had been selected via social media.

The statement said: “Islington North CLP members learned via a London Regional Labour Party post on X that the CLP’s parliamentary candidate had not been appointed.

“This decision was not communicated directly to CLP members and CLP officers.

"The CLP was not given the opportunity to meet the appointed candidate nor to understand what his policy positions are.

“This is the final stage in an egregiously undemocratic selection process.

"Once again, the national Labour Party has shown contempt for hardworking and dedicated members who campaigned relentlessly to re-elect the London Labour mayor Sadiq Khan.

“The Labour Party defines itself as a democratic socialist party. On this basis all members, including those in Islington North, have the right to genuine input into democratic decision-making, including the right to select their parliamentary candidate.

"In the case of the Islington North CLP selection process, the actions of the Labour Party have fallen far short of its stated democratic standards.”

Mr Corbyn, who has represented Islington North since 1983, has been sitting as an independent MP since losing the Labour whip in an antisemtism row in 2020.

He was expelled from the party last week after announcing he was running as an independent in the upcoming general election.

The former Labour leader vowed to be "an independent voice for equality, democracy and peace".

His candidacy is a major headache for Sir Keir as he battles to win the keys to Downing Street.

Labour last Friday confirmed Mr Nargund as its candidate to stand in Islington North after a shortlist containing two names was announced on Wednesday.

Mr Nargund said: "It's an honour to have been chosen as Labour's candidate for Islington North and I look forward to the campaign ahead. I promise to be a truly local MP, that represents all families and businesses that call this special place their home."