13:04

Dawn Butler, the Labour MP who spoke at the same event in Westminster this morning as did Jeremy Corbyn, has faced a slightly uncomfortable interview on BBC Radio 4’s PM programme.



Asked several times for policies by which Labour would combat what Corbyn called a “rigged” system, Butler seemed to struggle for specific examples. Instead, Butler accused Theresa May of “trying to rig democracy in our country” in calling a snap election.

Talking about policies to ensure fairness in the City, Butler cited the Costa Coffee chain as a tax avoider, perhaps confusing it with Starbucks, which has attracted criticism over its tax policies.

Butler named Costa as among companies “who don’t pay their full taxes in this country”.

Asked by host Eddie Mair whether she meant Costa, Butler said:

I’ve said Costa Coffee from memory, but let me not say that definitively. But what I’m saying is the Conservatives will not take on these tax dodgers, and Labour is saying everyone needs to pay their fair share.

As the financial blogger Iona Bain points out, Costa has actually been praised by Ethical Consumer for its record on tax avoidance.

Iona Bain (@ionayoungmoney) Labour MP Dawn Butler has just accused Costa Coffee of avoiding taxes on @BBCPM. What @EC_magazine says about Costa https://t.co/Cyd1oU57Xx pic.twitter.com/DZUb8m1uCE

Later, in a separate interview on BBC News, she said Labour “would scrap grammar schools”. That is not correct. Labour is opposed to Theresa May’s plans to extend grammar schools, but Angela Rayner, the shadow education secretary, has studiously avoided saying the party would close existing grammar schools.