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Jeremy Corbyn has apologised for forgetting how much his childcare policy cost in a car crash live radio interview.

The Labour leader admitted he did not have the £4.8billion figure at his fingertips during a clash on the BBC's Woman's Hour.

But despite some of his supporters attacking the show's 'pub quiz' style, Mr Corbyn said the question was completely fair.

"I didn't have the exact figure in front of me, so I was unable to answer that question, for which obviously I apologise," Mr Corbyn said.

"But I don't apologise for what's in the manifesto."

Asked if it was unfair to expect politicians to memorise figures he said: "There is no such thing as being unfair to politicians.

"If you put yourself up for elected office in public life you are subject to permanent scrutiny.

"Permanent scrutiny, in my case, of my friends and neighbours, because I live in my constituency, of ministers to parliament because that's what parliament is there for. And to the electorate because they decide your future or not.

"So I don't get upset by these things. Never be so high and mighty you can't listen to everybody else."

Hours after a well-received performance on Sky News, Mr Corbyn stumbled under a grilling by the BBC's Emma Barnett.

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Asked how much the policy to extend 30 hours' free childcare to all two, three and four-year-olds would cost, he said: “It will cost…a lot to do that…”

Asked again for the figure, he said: “I’ll give you the figure in a moment.”

It led to a very uncomfortable couple of minutes of live radio, as the Labour leader scrambled to retrieve the figure from his iPad.

Mr Corbyn's latest comments came as he launched Labour's race and faith manifesto today in Watford.

(Image: PA)

Pledging to extend the powers of the Equality and Human Rights Commission and restore public sector equality duties, he said: "We will guarantee equality is at the heart of our programme for government.

"Labour will implement a comprehensive strategy for racial equality, one that effectively challenges the disadvantage many black, Asian and minority ethnic communities suffer.

"We will work every day for a fairer society, where every person is enabled to get on in life, regardless of race, faith or ethnicity, to build a Britain that works for the many, not the few."

(Image: GC Images)

Labour candidate Dawn Butler, who hosted the event, implored audience members not to boo journalists ahead of their questions.

Earlier Labour figures came out to defend Mr Corbyn - by pointing out the Tories hadn't tried to cost their full manifesto at all.

Shadow international trade secretary Barry Gardiner said: "When Theresa May put in her manifesto that you could provide a breakfast for a child at 6.8p... nobody thought that was worthy of being the lead story."