Mike Pompeo leaves No 10 during President Trump’s visit to the UK last week

Labour has accused President Trump’s secretary of state of trying to stop Jeremy Corbyn becoming prime minister. Mike Pompeo was caught on tape telling Jewish leaders that he would “push back” against the party leadership.

In a recording leaked to The Washington Post, America’s top diplomat was asked what he would do if Mr Corbyn were to become prime minister, after criticism of Labour’s handling of accusations of antisemitism in the party.

Mr Pompeo appeared to suggest that he would seek to intervene before such an outcome could happen. “It could be that Mr Corbyn manages to run the gauntlet and get elected,” he told the private meeting in New York this month.

“You should know, we won’t wait for him to do those