More than half of Corbyn backers say British spies are conspiring against the Labour leader
More than half of Jeremy Corbyn supporters believe that British spies are working to undermine the Labour leader, according to new figures.
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey suggested in late June that intelligence agencies could be using “dark arts” against the current Labour leadership.
And now the latest polling figures show the idea has become widespread among Corbyn supporters.
In a survey of more than 700 supporters of the Labour leader, 55 per cent said that it was either “definitely” or “probably” true that intelligence agencies are working to undermine Corbyn, who is likely to triumph in the party's ongoing leadership contest.
By contrast, among Labour voters more broadly, 23 per cent believed the theory was credible, while just 19 per cent of the broader electorate said the same.
Read More: Labour MI5 theories "ludicrous" says Chris Leslie
Similarly, more than one in three of the Islington North MP's backers said that some of his parliamentary colleagues had been conspiring against him.
35 per cent said that some Labour MPs had been planted by Conservative strategists to undermine the left wing of the party.
And even outside of Corbyn's supporters, one in four Labour voters said the idea was either probably or definitely true, while 19 per cent of the broader voting public said the same.
But given such suspicion, it is perhaps not surprising that Corbyn supporters also blame those MPs – as well as the media – for the party's poor showing in recent polls.
Last week YouGov reported a dramatic 11 point lead for the Conservatives in voting intention, with the Tories beating Labour 40-29.
However, only one per cent of Corbyn backers suggested the current party leader is responsible.
By contrast, 42 per cent blame opposing MPs, and 49 per cent – almost exactly half of all Corbyn supporters – say that the media is to blame.
