Jeremy Corbyn calls out Daily Mail editor: 'Next time write twice as much about me'

Labour leader jokes 'never have so many trees died in vain' as he claims negative media coverage helped his campaign

Jeremy Corbyn has called out his media critics over the election coverage, joking "never have so many trees died in vain".

The Labour leader condemned The Daily Mail for devoting 14 pages to attacking his party and challenged the editor, Paul Dacre, to double the coverage over him for the next general election.

In his flagship speech to the Labour conference, Mr Corbyn accused part of the media of colluding in a “nasty and personal” election campaign with the Tories.

He said: “The day before the election, I remember it well, I was on trains all day long doing six rallies.

“One paper devoted 14 pages to attacking the Labour Party and the following day our vote went up nearly 10 per cent.

“Never have so many trees died in vain. The British people saw right through it.

“So this is a message to The Daily Mail’s editor - next time please make it 28 pages.”

Mr Corbyn was roundly condemned by a number of right-wing newspapers in the build up to the election in June but Theresa May failed to gain a majority, despite their support.

He also highlighted some of the vitriol targeted at his friend and ally Diane Abbott, who received a standing ovation during the speech for her commitment in the face of misogynist and racist abuse.