Jeremy Corbyn wants Richard Branson to be stripped of knighthood

The feud between Jeremy Corbyn and Richard Branson has deepened as the Labour leader’s most senior ally called for the Virgin tycoon to be stripped of his knighthood.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell hit out at the entrepreneur, claiming he wanted to “undermine our democracy” after Virgin Trains released footage disputing Corbyn’s claims about overcrowding on one of its services.

McDonnell, who is running Corbyn’s campaign to be re-elected as Labour leader, demanded an overhaul of the honours system and also restated his call for former BHS boss Philip Green to lose his title.