A woman arrested as a terrorist suspect, and a 9/11 conspiracy theorist are among activists using a fringe trade union to infiltrate the Labour Party and campaign for the deselection of moderate MPs, it can be revealed.

Unite Community was founded to represent the jobless by Len McCluskey, general secretary of Unite and a powerful Corbyn ally, in 2012. For 50p a week, members can access career advice, interview coaching and help applying for benefits.

However, a Sunday Times investigation has found that many of Unite Community’s leading activists have been suspended as Labour members over alleged racism and bullying.

Leaked emails also reveal union officials have privately admitted that members do not need to be unemployed to join or become delegates on local Labour