Khan conceded that Corbyn has had a rocky start. The new leader has been criticised for flip-flopping over whether he wants Britain to stay in the EU, refusing to talk to the press, and failing to sing the national anthem. Meanwhile his shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, who has also never before held a front bench position, apologised on BBC1’s Question Time for suggesting in 2003 that IRA members should be “honoured”. Khan said Corbyn’s team must be given the "time and space” to “develop their views”.

He said: "I know how tough it is to go from a selection to an election and you’re trying to get your team ready, and I think we should be generous before we judge. Even Jeremy said when he first entered the contest he didn’t necessarily think he was going to win. Many of your readers – it must be the case because of the evidence we’ve seen – supported Jeremy because he was authentic and ran a positive campaign. So they will want him to be given the time to develop."

Does Khan believe the weeks ahead will go more smoothly for Corbyn? “I’m an optimist." But he made clear he disagreed with Corbyn on a number of issues, not least his refusal to sing the national anthem at a Battle of Britain memorial ceremony last week. "I happen to sing the anthem at events where it’s appropriate, whether it’s church events or sporting events,” Khan said pointedly. He is also unashamedly pro-European, a position that doesn't seem to be shared by the new leader, who bowed to pressure from MPs last week to clarify that he did actually want Britain to stay in the EU.

