Jeremy Corbyn faced outrage last night after it was revealed a leading supporter had described Islamic terrorists as ‘freedom fighters’.

Activist Barbara Ntumy tweeted the astonishing claim that ‘one mans [sic] Jihadist/Terrorist is another mans Freedom Fighter’, adding ‘#JustSaying.’

The claim that jihadis can be equated with freedom fighters such as Nelson Mandela – who used armed resistance in the campaign to end apartheid in South Africa – will cause particular offence having emerged just over a week after the Manchester Arena terror attack claimed 22 lives.

Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn (pictured at the launch last week) unveiled his party's 'Race and Faith' manifesto with Barbara Ntumy

Mr Corbyn faced further outrage after high-profile supporter Daniel York, an actor who starred with Leonardo DiCaprio in The Beach, described ‘Chinese and Indians’ as ‘clueless’ minorities who ‘suck up to the white colonial establishment’. Ms Ntumy’s remark comes after a string of controversies about Mr Corbyn’s attitude to terrorism, including links to IRA supporters and backing for the Palestinian cause.

Ms Ntumy, a member of the National Union of Students’ executive, introduced Mr Corbyn when he launched his 17-page ‘race and faith manifesto’ in Watford last week.

Her remark about terrorism was made on Twitter in July 2014, just hours after a Taliban suicide bomber killed 17 in Afghanistan. Last night, Ms Ntumy told The Mail on Sunday: ‘I absolutely 100 per cent condemn terrorism.’

Mr York, who is half Chinese, said: ‘I was talking about the Conservative Chinese, not all Chinese.’