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Jeremy Corbyn backs Labour candidate who shared abusive comments about female politicians

Britain's Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks to supporters in Liverpool, England, Thursday Nov. 7, 2019. All 650 seats in the House of Commons are up for grabs in the Dec. 12 election, which is coming more than two years early. Some 46 million British voters are eligible to take part in the country's first December election in 96 years. (Jacob King/PA via AP)

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told a party general election conference that he was “proud of all his candidates” - while controversial Labour candidate Ian Byrne was on stage alongside him.

An investigation by LBC claims Ian Byrne, who is running for Liverpool West Derby, shared a message in 2015 about Baroness Michelle Mone, the founder of underwear brand Ultimo, which called to “hit the c*** where it hurts.”

On Thursday night during a speech in Manchester, the Labour leader said: "I am very proud of the work done by all my colleagues, some of whom are behind me here today.

(SKY NEWS)
(SKY NEWS)

"And I'm very proud of all the work that is going into our manifesto for this election."

Mr Byrne’s post, shared in 2015, received comments calling for violence against Baroness Mone, and accused her of betraying her working-class roots.

Ian Byrne, Labour candidate for West Derby, addresses a Labour rally at the o2 Academy in Manchester.
Ian Byrne, Labour candidate for West Derby, addresses a Labour rally at the o2 Academy in Manchester.

He also commented on a post about housing minister Esther McVey, who was at risk of losing her seat, calling her a ‘b*****d… and soon to be gone’.

Mr Byrne’s Facebook account has been deleted.

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A statement from Mr Byrne today read: "I am deeply sorry for the inappropriate and offensive language from the shop floor that I used several years ago on social media and would not use today.

"I also shared a meme about a Conservative peer who voted to take away tax credits from the poorest and most vulnerable people.

“The person who originally posted the meme had used an unacceptable and misogynist language to describe her. This was not my language and I sincerely apologise.

Labour unveils the party battle bus while on the General Election campaign trail in Liverpool, party members including (left to right) Peter Dowd, Dan Carden, Ian Byrne, Kim Johnson, Labour supporter , Maria Eagle, Jeremy Corbyn, Lucy Powell, Bill Esterson, Labour supporter, Joe Anderson, Steve Rotherham. PA Photo. Picture date: Thursday November 7, 2019. See PA story POLITICS Election Labour. Photo credit should read: Jacob King/PA Wire

"I'm a very different person now and I'm grateful that the labour and trade union movement has enabled me and so many other working class people to represent and fight for our communities.

“Through setting up Fans Supporting Foodbanks, I've been working to overcome divisions and bring our Liverpool community together and if I'm elected that's what I will continue to do, transforming our communities in the interests of the many, not the elite few."

Yahoo News UK has contacted the Labour Party for comment.