Jeremy Corbyn hits out at 'unreasonable' media intrusion in The One Show interview

Labour leader not questioned on previous blunder over cost of childcare proposals

Jeremy Corbyn has hit out at media intrusion into his family life, claiming his loved ones have an “unreasonable amount of pressure” put on them.

While the Labour leader said some scrutiny was expected, he urged media outlets to “draw some boundaries”.

The comments came in an interview with BBC 1’s The One Show in which he appeared alone, unlike Theresa May’s slot on the programme which also featured her spouse.

In the lighthearted appearance focusing on his background, the programme’s hosts made no mention of an awkward interview Mr Corbyn gave earlier in the day which saw him forget how much one of his key policies would cost.

Instead, he spoke about his parents, relatives and life experiences and how they had shaped his political views.

Ms May's appearance alongside husband Philip shed some light on their relationship, but Mr Corbyn made clear his marriage and his third wife Laura Alvarez is out of bounds.

He said: “Those nearest to me and those loved ones everywhere have a totally unreasonable amount of pressure put on them, and they always have done, all of my life, and I have a great deal of sympathy for them and a great deal of thanks to give them all, every one.

“Because intrusion in my life is not nice but I am there, I'm an elected politician, it kind of goes with the territory, you might say.

“But widest family, children, it's not right and not fair and I wish some of our media would just draw some boundaries.”

Mr Corbyn brought a selection of photos showing his childhood and youth to the programme.

One showed him in reins as a toddler and he joked: “I was a bit free-spirited and I kept climbing out of the pram and running off.”

Speaking of his experience refereeing children’s football matches, he said ten-year-olds had been easier to control than the parliamentary Labour party, with whom he has an often challenging relationship.

Mr Corbyn said that although he had not set out in life to become Prime Minister, he promised he was “giving it everything” to win the general election.

Asked by presenter Ore Oduba how he felt about the prospect of moving to Downing Street, he said: “Hope of what we can do and hope of the way we can change things in this country.”

Oduba said critics viewed Mr Corbyn as “more of an activist” than a potential Prime Minister, but the Labour leader said: “Is there a difference? I have been active in politics, human rights and many things all my life.”