![\"Jeremy](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/13A32\/production\/_128643408_315aa261e988386b9505bb1b79cbc043944a5afe.jpg.webp)
<\/picture><\/span>Reuters<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nFormer Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has condemned Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to bar him from standing for the party at the next general election, calling it a “flagrant attack” on democracy. <\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Mr Corbyn said it was up to local party members to choose their candidate, not Labour leaders. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The Islington North MP, who sits as an independent, was suspended as a Labour MP in 2020 in a row over antisemitism. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Sir Keir said Labour had changed, and people who did not like it could leave. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n In a statement posted on Twitter, Mr Corbyn said: “Keir Starmer’s statement about my future is a flagrant attack on the democratic rights of Islington North Labour Party members. It is up to them – not party leaders – to decide who their candidate should be. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n “Any attempt to block my candidacy is a denial of due process, and should be opposed by anybody who believes in the value of democracy.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n He described Sir Keir’s move as “a divisive distraction from our overriding goal: to defeat the Conservative Party at the next general election”. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The BBC understands that Mr Corbyn is still likely to seek the Labour Party nomination in Islington North, forcing party bosses to formally block him from being a Labour candidate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Mr Corbyn has previously declined to comment on speculation he might stand against Labour as an independent candidate and his latest statement did not address this issue. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n But former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott, one of his longest-standing allies, said he had “no intention of standing as an independent”, having been a member of the Labour Party since he was 16. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Earlier Sir Keir had confirmed for the first time that his predecessor as party leader would not be allowed to represent Labour at the next election, saying the party had changed and “we are not going back”. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n He was speaking at a news conference in east London, after Britain’s equalities watchdog said Labour had improved how it handled antisemitism complaints. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n In 2020, the Equality and Human Rights Commission found Labour, under Mr Corbyn, had been responsible for unlawful harassment and discrimination.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n But a new report by the watchdog said it was now satisfied sufficient changes had been made.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n