Corbyn clashes with Sultana over membership portal as split emerges in new party

Ex-Labour leader says ‘legal advice being taken’ over issue, while Sultana also claims ‘sexist boys’ club’ is running party

An extraordinary split has opened between Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana in the formation of their new leftwing party, with the former Labour leader suggesting he will take legal action over an unauthorised membership portal promoted by his co-leader.

Sultana claimed the party was being run by a “sexist boys’ club” and suggested there were deep disagreements over how to launch party membership – including with the four other MPs in Corbyn’s Independent Alliance.

The split emerged on Thursday when Sultana outlined a new membership portal in a post on X, saying it was a “safe and secure” platform and that supporters should keep trying to sign up despite “issues due to such high traffic”.

But Corbyn issued an “urgent message” telling supporters to ignore the site, and said “legal advice is being taken”.

More details soon …