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Labour sources have hit back at a former head of MI6 who claimed Jeremy Corbyn would pose a threat if elected.

Sir Richard Dearlove said Mr Corbyn's far-left past and relationships with extremists made him unfit to enter No10.

But the party hit back at the ex-spook warning that his own past raised questions about his judgment.

Sir Richard wrote in the Mail on Sunday that the Labour leader would pose a "present danger to our country" if he became PM.

But a Labour source told the Mirror: "As head of MI6 was involved in the infamous dodgy dossier that helped take us into the illegal Iraq War.

"He has no credibility whatsoever on the subject of security."

(Image: REUTERS)

Today was not first time Sir Richard, chief of the Secret Intelligence Service from 1999 to 2004, has slammed Jeremy Corbyn's record.

He wrote almost exactly the same thing in the Daily Telegraph in June 2017 - the day before the last general election .

He wrote at the time: "Jeremy Corbyn represents a clear and present danger to the country."

(Image: EPA-EFE/REX)

Senior allies of Mr Corbyn have previously suggested that the security services are attacking Mr Corbyn not out of security concerns, but self-interest in defending the establishment.

Last year the Unite General Secretary Len McCluskey said he supported the view that "the security forces play an unhealthy role in the democratic processes that exist in our nation, both in trade unions and indeed in our political life".