YOUR Party branches in Scotland have urged co-leaders Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana to “work together in the interest of the many.”

“Proto-branches” from Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Forth Valley, Glasgow and Lanarkshire wrote an open letter to “demand transparent leadership from those who seek to lead our movement.”

Stressing the need to move forward amid the creeping threat of the far right, their demands, published on Friday, included a de-escalation of the serious disagreements seen last week, a relaunch of membership in earnest, and transparency of leadership going forward.

The groups wrote: “Austerity from Holyrood has done little to protect us from the worst indulgences of right-wing governments in London. 

“Tens of thousands of us, as the public already knows, recognise this cannot go on. Only a radical political programme can start to reverse this societal decline, and there is no time to waste.

“Your Party doesn’t belong to MPs: it belongs to all of us. As grassroots organisers, we will stay motivated and united.

“This public setback cannot be allowed to slow the momentum behind Your Party. The stakes are far too high.”

Former Labour leader Mr Corbyn on Saturday defended a key ally after she was singled out by Ms Sultana as part of their public row over the creation of a new left-wing party.

He said he was “appalled” at the criticism aimed at long-standing ally Karie Murphy and acknowledged the process of founding the party had been “difficult” in recent days.

Meanwhile, independent MP for Coventry South, Ms Sultana said that she had instructed “specialist defamation lawyers” following the row over her push for members to sign up to Your Party.