THREE councillors in the north London borough of Haringey have formed an independent socialist group on the council after quitting Labour over Sir Keir Starmer’s backing for Israeli war crimes and his opposition to a Gaza ceasefire.

The three — Mark Blake, Lotte Collet and Mary Mason — also cite the suspension of Jeremy Corbyn, Sir Keir’s abandonment of his progressive leadership election pledges and local party gerrymandering as reasons for leaving Labour.

Their founding statement condemns Sir Keir for his “unequivocal support for Israeli action in Gaza” and his backing for the denial of food, water and fuel to besieged Palestinians.

The new group has appointed former senior Unite official Adrian Weir as its political assistant and has agreed to try to make links with similar independent groups of ex-Labour councillors in Oxford, Burnley and elsewhere.

Labour’s control of Haringey Council will not be affected by the split.