Colleague shrugs off criticism of Jeremy Corbyn's stance on IRA

The Labour leader came under fire following a television interview on Sunday in which he faced repeated questions over whether he condemned the Republican group.

Mr Corbyn, who attended rallies and protests organised by the Republican-backed Troops Out Movement in the 1980s, said he condemned "all bombing" but would not single out the IRA on Sky News's Sophy Ridge On Sunday.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Angela Rayner said: "I think it's a bit of a dead cat because the Conservatives know that at the moment they are on the rack, because they are trying to bring in a dementia tax which will hurt older people.

"Jeremy Corbyn on Sophy Ridge did condemn the bombing (by the) IRA, he did condemn that bombing and he was quite clear about that.

"Labour have got a proud record, under Tony Blair we brought about the peace process in Northern Ireland.

"Jeremy has been absolutely clear, he condemns the bombing by the IRA in Northern Ireland and we want to continue to see that peace process flourish."