Jeremy Hunt brands Jeremy Corbyn a ‘Marxist’ who would destroy Britain’s economy

JEREMY Hunt launched an outspoken attack on Jeremy Corbyn on Good Friday as speculation grew over his leadership ambitions.

The Foreign Secretary branded the Labour leader a “Marxist” who would destroy Britain’s economy – and highlighted the opposition party’s crisis over anti-Semitism.

It came after he gave an interview in which he called for the Tories to develop new ideas to win over young voters, and admitted he would govern in a “very different way” to Theresa May.

Mr Hunt took aim at Mr Corbyn after the Labour leader commented on the interview, writing on Twitter that the Government’s austerity policies have had “serious consequences”.

In a response to his tweet, Mr Hunt wrote: “‘Serious consequences’ doesn’t come close to describing the devastation your hard left policies would wreak on our economy.

“Read the full quote and you’ll learn about the real consequences of Conservatives’ economic stewardship: 1000 extra jobs a day. All of them at risk under your Marxist regime.”

And he added: “Before you attack me for ‘austerity’ which put the economy back on its feet, perhaps ask why a Labour MP needs a bodyguard at a Labour conference, and your party is under formal investigation for institutional anti-Semitism?”

It was an unusually direct attack on Mr Corbyn by the Foreign Secretary, who also raised eyebrows earlier in the week when he took a sideswipe at his predecessor – and likely leadership rival – Boris Johnson.

Asked if he could lead the country given that he campaigned for Remain, Mr Hunt replied: “Well look, there is one very big difference between Boris Johnson and me and that is that I am Foreign Secretary and have a big job to do to try to get this deal over the line, that has to be my focus.”

In the New Statesman interview, Mr Hunt also made clear how he differs from the Prime Minister.

He admitted she had a very difficult job but went on: “I am a very different person to Theresa. I am a tech entrepreneur by background.

“I share her vision that a modern Conservative Party has to show that we can change the lives of everyone in the country, but I would do it in a different way.

“We have to show we are thinking about life beyond Brexit.”

He said the Tories needed to find some “big social issues” that show they care about more than money.

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