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| Thousands cheer Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn at Durham Miners' Gala | Thousands cheer Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn at Durham Miners' Gala |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Under-fire Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has been greeted by thousands of people at the Durham Miners' Gala. | Under-fire Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has been greeted by thousands of people at the Durham Miners' Gala. |
| Mr Corbyn, who has faced calls to quit from 170 MPs, is the first Labour leader to attend the trade union gathering since Ed Miliband in 2012. | Mr Corbyn, who has faced calls to quit from 170 MPs, is the first Labour leader to attend the trade union gathering since Ed Miliband in 2012. |
| Rebel MPs have been denied access to the platform at the gala, after organisers accused them of trying to "humiliate" Mr Corbyn. | Rebel MPs have been denied access to the platform at the gala, after organisers accused them of trying to "humiliate" Mr Corbyn. |
| Mr Corbyn remained defiant and said he intended to remain as leader. | |
| The gala or "Big Meeting", which is in its 132nd year, is one of the largest trade union gatherings in Europe. | The gala or "Big Meeting", which is in its 132nd year, is one of the largest trade union gatherings in Europe. |
| Mr Corbyn was greeted by cheers as he waved and gave a thumbs up to crowds from the balcony of the city's County Hotel. He will speak later. | Mr Corbyn was greeted by cheers as he waved and gave a thumbs up to crowds from the balcony of the city's County Hotel. He will speak later. |
| Organised by the Durham Miners' Association (DMA), it features a parade of union banners through the streets of Durham City before crowds gather at the nearby racecourse for a rally and speeches. | Organised by the Durham Miners' Association (DMA), it features a parade of union banners through the streets of Durham City before crowds gather at the nearby racecourse for a rally and speeches. |
| Although Labour leaders had been regular speakers in the past, Ed Miliband was the first to address the gala for 23 years. | Although Labour leaders had been regular speakers in the past, Ed Miliband was the first to address the gala for 23 years. |
| Other speakers at this year's event include veteran Labour MP Dennis Skinner and TUC leader Frances O'Grady. | Other speakers at this year's event include veteran Labour MP Dennis Skinner and TUC leader Frances O'Grady. |
| Mr Corbyn said: "I am always happy to come the Durham Miners' Gala. It is a wonderful coming together of the histories of the mining communities and I think it is a great occasion. I think it is the duty of a Labour leader to be at the gala." | |
| Following Labour MP Angela Eagle's announcement that she intends to launch a challenge against Mr Corbyn, he said: "I was elected nine months ago to lead this party. We've defeated the Tories on working tax credits, personal independent payments and won parliamentary by-elections with huge swings to Labour. We are actually making a lot of progress. | |
| "We now have the biggest membership we have ever had in my lifetime in the Labour Party; surely there are some things to be pleased about. | |
| "I'm very disappointed at those that have resigned from the front bench, but I have written to them all thanking them for their contribution." | |
| Mr Corbyn said he had spoken to some Labour MPs who had been barred from appearing on the main platform, but stressed it was up to the DMA to issue invitations. | |
| DMA general secretary Dave Hopper said: "Contrary to recent press reports, Labour MPs who refused to support Jeremy Corbyn in the recent vote of confidence have not been banned or barred from attending this year's gala. The gala is a public event which anyone can attend. | DMA general secretary Dave Hopper said: "Contrary to recent press reports, Labour MPs who refused to support Jeremy Corbyn in the recent vote of confidence have not been banned or barred from attending this year's gala. The gala is a public event which anyone can attend. |
| "However, the invitations to attend the official Durham Miners' Association events and functions, stand on the balcony of the County Hotel and grace the platform on the racecourse have been rescinded." | "However, the invitations to attend the official Durham Miners' Association events and functions, stand on the balcony of the County Hotel and grace the platform on the racecourse have been rescinded." |
| He said: "Jeremy Corbyn is a guest of the Durham Miners' Association and we will not allow those who have sought to humiliate him and undermine the democratic process in the Labour Party the honour of taking part in the aforementioned gala traditions." | He said: "Jeremy Corbyn is a guest of the Durham Miners' Association and we will not allow those who have sought to humiliate him and undermine the democratic process in the Labour Party the honour of taking part in the aforementioned gala traditions." |