UNION leaders have criticised what they called the “self-indulgent and damaging antics” of a senior Labour candidate who distanced himself from party leader Jeremy Corbyn in an election leaflet.

Phil Wilson, who is defending a majority of 6,800 in Sedgefield, put out campaign literature in the form of a hand-written letter saying he was “no supporter” of his party leader and is “for Labour not for Corbyn.”

But the leaflet has come under fire from the Durham Miners’ Association, which says it is “disappointed and dismayed” by comments made by Mr Wilson and other Labour candidates.

Secretary Alan Cummings said it was “outrageous” that “some candidates are still undermining Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership” at such a crucial time.

Mr Cummings added: “Labour candidates do not stand merely as individuals, they stand as Labour candidates representing the Labour Party of which Jeremy Corbyn is the twice-elected leader.

“We call on those candidates in question remember this and immediately desist from their self-indulgent and damaging antics”.

Mr Wilson has defended the comments, saying he was simply “being honest” with the voters and had been very public with his views on My Corbyn’s leadership.

His letter said that he had put local people and their concerns first and added: “Is this means standing up to May, I do. If this means opposing Corbyn, I do”.

But Conservative candidates in the region claimed their Labour counterparts have been canvassing that a vote for them is not a vote for Jeremy Corbyn.

In a joint statement they said: “Every vote for Labour is a vote for the views and policies of its leader, Jeremy Corbyn.

“Local Labour candidates do not have the luxury of pretending their leader does not exist”.