Jeremy Corbyn forms pro-Palestinian alliance with independent MPs

They called on other MPs to join them after seven of Mr Corbyn's allies from the Labour group were suspended in Parliament for standing up to Sir Keir Starmer over the cap on the two-child benefit.

“The more MPs willing to stand up for these principles, the better,” they said. “Our door is always open to other MPs who believe in a fairer and more peaceful world.”

All five members of the group won the general election in July with a pro-Palestinian stance against Labour candidates in constituencies with a high Muslim population.

Established parties with five MPs were previously entitled to up to £129,000 in “short money” – public funds given to opposition parties to support research.

According to the BBC, Parliament's rules currently appear to prevent these funds from going to new groups formed between general elections. But by working together, independents can raise more money for their campaign work by sharing resources and holding joint fundraisers.

The group already tends to sit together on the backbenches behind the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives.