Jeremy Corbyn paid an unexpected flying visit to Gravesham to congratulate Labour colleagues on their victory in the 2019 council elections.

Rumours abounded in the aftermath of the election count last Friday that the Labour leader was on his way to Gravesham that same night - but the rumours proved fruitless.

However senior Labour councillors got the chance to meet Mr Corbyn in Gravesend yesterday, after he launched the Labour manifesto for the European elections at the University of Kent's Medway campus.

Mr Corbyn met with Gravesham Labour leader John Burden, deputy leader Lee Croxton, and Coldharbour councillor Shane Mochrie-Cox, who posted a picture on Twitter after the meeting.

He added: "Good to meet @jeremycorbyn @UKLabour Leader of the Opposition today on a visit by him to Gravesend & Northfleet today to discuss a range of local issues & how the Labour Party will support and empower local government."

Cllr Mochrie-Cox stressed it had been a private visit but added: "He was obviously in Kent launching the manifesto, and he met with Cllr Burden, deputy leader Lee Croxton and myself.

"Given the great victory we had last week it would have been strange not to visit

"He said congratulations - he was really pleased with the result."

Cllr Mochrie-Cox said Mr Corbyn had read the Gravesham Labour team's manifesto and discussed key issues such as crime and safety, fly-tipping and litter.

"It was nice to have him down in Gravesham," he added. "He was engaging, knowledgeable and personable - it was good to have a chance to discuss Gravesham with a senior politician."

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