A FORMER leading Labour MEP demanded the reinstatement of Jeremy Corbyn today, as members gathered in Brighton for their annual conference.

Michael McGowan, former MEP for Leeds, made the demand to reinstate Mr Corbyn to the Parliamentary Labour Party in an open letter to leader Sir Keir Starmer.

The move comes as the conference faced a storm of protests against the leadership’s continuing persecution of socialist members of the party and Corbyn supporters.

He told Sir Keir that the conference is “a unique and historic opportunity for you to set the scene for a Labour victory at the next general election.”

Reminding Sir Keir of a pledge made in Leeds during the campaign for leadership of the Labour Party in 2020, he wrote: “I was present at the meeting at Leeds Minster during the Labour leadership campaign when you claimed to be the unity candidate and if elected would respect both former Labour leaders, Blair and Corbyn, but your attitude to Jeremy Corbyn has since failed to meet this promise.

“Jeremy Corbyn has devoted his life to campaigning for human rights, equal opportunities, peace and co-operation, and opposing racism and conflict.

“As leader he ignited a passion and enthusiasm among members and the Labour Party became the largest political party in Europe.

“He has since been subject to character assassination which must be stopped and words from yourself at the Brighton conference that he should return to the Parliamentary Labour Party would be welcome and an enormous contribution to a Labour victory at the next general election.

“A declaration from you that you are now intent on uniting the Labour Party and are determined to devolve power away from Whitehall and Westminster to Yorkshire would be welcome.

“I am convinced that electoral success at the general election is a reality and you have a unique and historic opportunity to contribute to that victory.”

Mr Corbyn was suspended from the Labour Party after saying that reports of anti-semitism in the party were “overstated.”

He was reinstated to party membership but remains suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party.