10:33

Shortly before the 2pm start of the NEC meeting, Jeremy Corbyn fought his way into Labour’s new headquarters in Victoria, central London, through a scrum of photographers and television crews. He was followed by Jon Trickett, his election co-ordinator.

The veteran MP Dennis Skinner, as he entered the the building, compared Labour MPs seeking to depose Corbyn to the UDM – the breakaway miners’ union that was set up to rival the National Union of Mineworkers.

The meeting is taking place on the 8th floor of the office building known as Southside, which is half a mile from the Houses of Parliament. The building has been nicknamed “the Darkside” by Corbynistas who believe that it is occupied and controlled by friends of the parliamentary party.

According to Labour sources, all but one of the 33 NEC members have attended today’s meeting. Reports claim that the member who has failed to turn up is a GMB representative – interesting because of rumours that the GMB is less than enthusiastic about Corbyn, despite its public support.