Costly dinner

Labour peer forced out of front-bench post

A senior Labour peer was effectively sacked from his front-bench position last night over his attendance at the controversial Presidents Club event.

Jeremy Corbyn asked Lord Mendelsohn, a spokesman on international trade, “to step back from the front bench”, a Labour Lords spokesman said.

Mr Corbyn’s decision will increase pressure on Theresa May to act against Children and Families minister Nadhim Zahawi, who was also present. Mr Zahawi said he left the dinner early, having been made to feel “extremely uncomfortable” and vowed never to attend such an event again.

“Lord Mendelsohn attended part of the dinner as president of a charity that received support from the event and he had no knowledge of an after-party,” the spokesman added.

“Lord Mendelsohn did not witness any of the appalling incidents.”

A spokesman for Mr Corbyn said: “It’s right that Lord Mendelsohn has stepped down.

“The reports about this appalling event were deeply shocking and there can be no excuse for anyone’s attendance.”