Jeremy Corbyn faces claims that Labour has double standards when disciplining his friends and political allies

Jeremy Corbyn was plunged into a new scandal over his party’s handling of bullying and harassment last night after it emerged that his most senior aide dismissed an investigation into a close ally accused of inappropriate conduct around young women.

Karie Murphy, the Labour leader’s chief of staff, operated outside formal procedures and said that she would instead “have a word” with Peter Willsman, a veteran activist and friend of Corbyn.

Willsman, 75, was subject to a formal complaint by a young staffer who alleged he asked where she lived, whether she liked clubbing — and sent texts saying he was in his pyjamas. He “refused” to leave her alone. She received no response to her complaint.

In a further blow, it can also