Theresa May accuses Jeremy Corbyn of using 'alternative facts' after he reads leaked texts from Tory council leader

Theresa May has accused Jeremy Corbyn of using "alternative facts" after he read out leaked texts purportedly sent by a Tory council leader.

Ms May went on to suggest Labour needs an "alternative leader".

Mr Corbyn accused Ms May of accused of doing a 'sweetheart deal' with the wealthy Conservative Surrey County Council.

The council was due to hold a referendum to raise the local tax after warning that the social care system would be unsustainable without a sharp funding rise, however the vote was abruptly cancelled on Tuesday.

Mr Corbyn said he had been leaked copies of texts apparently from the council's leader to a central government civil servant which suggested a "memorandum of understanding" had been reached to find a "solution".

He said: “I wonder if it’s anything to do with the fact that the Chancellor and Health Secretary represent Surrey constituencies...

"There was a second text... It says ‘the numbers you indicated are the numbers I understand are acceptable for me to accept and call off the R.’ I’ve been reading a bit of John Le Carre and apparently R means referendum.

"He goes on... ‘Really want to kill this off’. So, how much did the Government offer Surrey to kill this off and is the same sweetheart deal on offer to every council?”

Ms May replied: "I've made clear to the Right Honourable Gentleman what has been made available to every council, which is the ability to raise the precept.

"He comes to the dispatch box making all sorts of claims, yet again what we get from Labour are alternative facts. What they really need is an alternative leader."