Iqbal Mohamed, the independent MP for Dewsbury and Batley, has become the second MP in a week to leave Your Party, the leftwing group co-led by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana. In a statement on X, Mohamed cited 'many false allegations and smears' against him and others, though he did not elaborate on the claims.
Mohamed's departure follows that of Adnan Hussain, another independent MP, who quit last Friday due to 'persistent infighting and a struggle for power' within the organisation. Mohamed said he had decided to leave after careful consideration and would continue as an independent MP, wishing the party well.
Your Party has faced a series of splits, largely between Sultana and Corbyn, along with four other independent MPs. Last week, Mohamed, Hussain, and the others signed a statement accusing Sultana of delaying the transfer of £850,000 in donations, which she denied. Allies of Sultana claimed the timing was intended to undermine her ahead of a possible leadership contest.
Party sources said Sultana had raised legal concerns about transferring the funds, but more money has since been transferred, easing tensions. However, new friction has emerged ahead of Your Party's inaugural conference in Liverpool, with Corbyn allies annoyed by Sultana's decision to hold a pre-conference rally billed as a party event but organised solely by her.
The row over funds stems from the party's early days, when membership fees and donations were directed to a company called MOU Operations Ltd, with Sultana as sole director, as Your Party lacked a formal structure. Officials said the £850,000 was urgently needed for the conference, while Sultana's allies insisted she was acting as quickly as legally possible.
