Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn, who is also president of Islington Pensioners’ Forum

• JEREMY Corbyn was elected as the Labour Member of Parliament for Islington North but, of course, it is no secret that the current leader of the Labour Party has withdrawn the parliamentary whip, meaning that Jeremy is now an “independent” MP.

Islington Pensioners’ Forum is non-party political and so, as an organisation, we are not involved with those who have made this decision; or with those who are opposed to it.

But Jeremy is also president of Islington Pensioners’ Forum, and we cannot let this moment pass without expressing anger and embarrassment that we now feel forced to say in the strongest possible terms that Jeremy Corbyn is not a racist – including not an anti-Semite – and he does not defend anyone with those reactionary views.

Our forum boasts a membership across the borough from all backgrounds and faiths, and Jeremy is a friend to all of us. He has always stood up fearlessly for social justice everywhere; we consider ourselves lucky to have Jeremy Corbyn as our president, and we reach out to him with the warmest of friendly greetings at this time.

BOB COLLINS
Chair, Islington Pensioners’ Forum