Corbyn's new pro-Gaza UK parliamentary bloc slams Kemi Badenoch's 'Islamophobic slur'

The newly formed UK pro-Palestine parliamentary bloc have hit back against an "Islamophobic slur" by Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch.

The Independent Alliance, formed of five left-wing MPs, was announced Monday, including Jeremy Corbyn, Adnan Hussain, Ayoub Khan, Iqbal Mohamed and Shockat Adam,

They issued a collective statement on Monday after Badernoch claimed the five independents were elected on the "back of sectarian Islamist politics; alien ideas that have no place here" after they won seats from Labour candidates, largely on a pro-Gaza platform.

"Kemi Badenoch's outrageous slur is an attack on democracy," they said.

"By describing these demands as 'sectarian Islamist politics', Badenoch maligns thousands of voters and peace campaigners. Her smear should be called out for what it is: Islamophobia."

The group added that such comments heightened the level of tension in the country in the aftermath of August's far-right riots and called for a retraction of the statement.

Badenoch, who is currently running to be leader of the Conservative Party in its upcoming leadership contest, made the comments at her campaign launch on Monday.

During her announcement she said that "when everyone was talking about five new MPs from Reform, I was far, far more worries about the five new MPs" she said, before slamming their backing for "Islamist politics".

The Independent Alliance also highlighted the bloc's core policy issues such as the two-child benefits cap, the plight of refugees and Israel's war on Gaza.

Prior to the announcement on Monday, on the 27 August the five MPs issued a joint statement condemning decisions by the Labour government to cut universal winter fuel payments to pensioners, and voted to retain the two-child benefits cap.

On Monday, the group formally announced its creation, saying that as an independent bloc they can hold the government to account on key issues in parliament and called on other MPs to support the,.

On Tuesday, the group issued another statement where it called on the government to implement a full suspension of arms sales to Israel.

"We will continue to call for a total arms embargo, an end to the illegal occupation and settlement policy, and the immediate and unconditional recognition of the state of Palestine," the statement read.

The five road a wave of resentment against the Labour Party, largely over its inaction over Israel's war on Gaza, in their respective constituencies during the general election.