Labour counts the cost of Corbyn

He may have lost the Labour whip, but Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow still looms over the party’s finances. Following the leak of the Forde report into antisemitism in the party, the Labour party launched legal action against five ex-staffers thought to be the source of the leak, including Corbyn’s former chief of staff, Karie Murphy and Alistair Campbell negative image, Seamus Milne. So far that’s netted legal costs of £500,000 but, according to the Guardian, the final bill could cost £4 million – money earmarked for Labour’s Election war chest.

The trouble for Labour is that despite the mounting costs and the enlistment of a KC and independent investigator to unmask the source of the leak, the ‘chatty rat’ remains elusive. Little wonder then, that a pro-Starmer NEC member has called the case ‘a monumental waste of members’ and affiliates’ money’ and a ‘pointless political vendetta.’ Add in the row over Corbyn’s deselection in Islington North and the prospect of the former Leader running against his old party, and you have a very expensive hangover for Labour’s flirtation with the marrow grower from North London.