THE author of a novel portraying a fictional coup staged against a left-wing British Prime Minister says the media response to the election of Jeremy Corbyn has reached “near hysteria”.

Former MP and minister Chris Mullin said the reaction of the media to the unexpected election of the new Labour leader mirrors that predicted in his 1982 novel A Very British Coup.

Mr Mullin is to give a sell-out talk on The Art Of Political Leadership, examining the careers of 20th Century political leaders, on Saturday as part of the Durham Book Festival.

He said that he expects Mr Corbyn’s name to be mentioned when he answers questions from the audience after his talk.

A Very British Coup centres on the surprise election of left-wing Labour candidate Harry Perkins and the attempt of MI5, the City and the press to bring him down.

Mr Mullin said: “The reaction of much of the media to the Corbyn leadership has been more or less along the lines predicted in my novel, written 35 years ago – near hysteria.

“Some of the military are behaving predictably, too”.

Asked whether there is a difference between a good political leader for the north and one for the south, Mr Mullin told The Northern Echo: “The fates of the north and the south are linked.

“When the south catches a cold, we get flu up here.”

He added: “Actually, the north has done a good job of reinventing itself since the disappearance of our traditional industries.

“Nissan in Sunderland has been a particular success.

“The recent arrival of Hitachi, fitting out railway carriages in Newton Aycliffe, is also good news.”

Chris Mullin will speak at Durham Town Hall on Saturday at 3pm. He will also interview Vince Cable in the Town Hall at 7.30pm the same day.