Jeremy Corbyn leapt to the defence of fellow Islington MP Emily Thornberry yesterday and predicted that she will return to Labour’s front bench after her “unnecessary” Twitter spat sacking.

Labour MP Mr Corbyn denounced a wave of media attacks on Ms Thornberry over her white van post as “nonsense” designed to distract his party from fighting Tory austerity.

He told the Star: “I think it (her sacking) was unfortunate, unnecessary and I would imagine she’ll be back at some point in the future.”