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Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was in Newcastle today to deliver a speech at the Labour North Regional Conference.

Mr Corbyn spoke at a lecture hall in the Newcastle University's campus, addressing members of the party.

During his speech, he spoke of the Russian spy attack in Salisbury and pledged to give primary school children free school meals if Labour got into power.

In an interview with our reporter he spoke about devolution in the North East and England going to the World Cup in Russia.

Recently, Mr Corbyn has called for a new single market relationship with the EU after Brexit and has questioned accusations that Russia is behind the nerve agent attack on former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury.

Our reporter has been bringing us live updates.

You can follow the updates below.

Jeremy Corbyn calls for a de-escalation of tensions with Russia

Jeremy Corbyn has called for a de-escalation of tensions with Russia on a visit to Newcastle as the spiraling diplomatic crisis enters its second week.

Relations between the British Government and Kremlin have hit a new low following a nerve agent attack on former Russian agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia on March 4.

Jeremy Corbyn speaking at the Regional Labour conference at Newcastle university
Jeremy Corbyn speaking at the Regional Labour conference at Newcastle university (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

Theresa May told the Commons earlier this week intelligence clearly points the finger at Russia and 23 of the country’s diplomats have been expelled in response.

The Russian regime retaliated by expelling 23 British diplomats on March 17 but went further by shutting down the British Council and the consulate in St Petersburg, sparking fears relations could sink even further.

We will have the full story on our website shortly.

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Future Labour government promises

The Labour leader used the address to attack the Conservative Government’s record on investment in the North East, describing the Northern Powerhouse agenda as “an empty Tory slogan rather than a genuine attempt to re-balance the economy”

A future Labour Government will create a regional investment bank, commit to new, publicly-owned rail links and embark on a major house-building programme in order to boost the North’s economy, he said.

He also said the party will re-open every domestic abuse refuge which has been closed in the last eight years and pledged a Labour Government would greatly expand free school meals for children.

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Corbyn urges caution over Russia

Speaking to The Chronicle after his speech to party members, Corbyn urged caution over the escalating diplomatic crisis between the British Government and the Russian Federation.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (Image: PA)

Russia will expel 23 British diplomats in a tit-for-tat reaction to Theresa May’s response to the nerve agent attack on Sergei and Yulia Skripal.

Other measures include closing the British Council and shutting down the British consulate in St Petersburg, going further than the British sanctions.

Calling for a de-escalation in the tensions, Corbyn said: “You have to be careful how far you go with this be because we need to be able to say to [Russia] ‘we disagree with you on Chechnya, on human rights, on LGBT rights, on the treatment of the media, but you are members of the Council of Europe and the UN and you should adhere to the principles of both of those organisations’.”

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Full story to come

We will have more on Jeremy Corbyn’s speech and interview online later.

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Russia, devolution and local elections - what Jeremy Corbyn had to say

Our reporter has sat down with Jeremy Corbyn - asking him about Russia, local devolution and the local elections.

Hear exactly what he has to say here.

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Free school meals pledge

During his speech earlier, Mr Corbyn promised free school meal to every child in nursery and primary school.

He said that children were going hungry in the fifth richest nation in the world.

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Waiting to speak to Corbyn

I’m sitting in an empty classroom waiting to speak to Corbyn.

He’s opted to sit in on the conference session for a bit so could be a while yet.

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Condemns Russian spy attack in Salisbury

Jeremy Corbyn caused some controversy this week when he appeared to disagree with the government over who was responsible for the Salisbury nerve agent attack.

Today he reiterated his position that attack may have been carried out by non-state actors but condemns what happened.

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Call for local election victory

And he’s out of here.

He ends by saying Labour will win local elections as a platform to challenge the government.

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Women's refuges to reopen

Corbyn pledges that Labour will reopen every women’s refuge closed since 2010.

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Biggest cheer so far

Jeremy in full Comrade Corbyn mode.

Says Labour government will “dump” neoliberalism.

Preaching to the converted here but it brings the biggest cheer of the speech so far.

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Comments on Northern Powerhouse record

Corbyn now attacking government’s Northern Powerhouse record.

He flags up IPPR North analysis of transport investment gap.

Says Labour would invest in house building and create industrial strategy to rebalance economy.

He says Labour will build a “Crossrail for the North” and bring railways into public ownership.

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Speaks on Russia and free school meals

Corbyn straight into Russia. Reiterated his position that attack may have been carried out by non-state actors but condemns what happened.

Jeremy Corbyn at Newcastle University lecture hall
Jeremy Corbyn at Newcastle University lecture hall

On to more familiar ground. Corbyn says a Labour government will extend free school meals and accuses government of presiding over worst living standards squeeze since 19th century.

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See moment Jeremy Corbyn is welcomed

This is the moment the university lecture hall burst into rapturous applause as Jeremy Corbyn entered.

He has been addressing the conference about Russia and Tory austerity so far.

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Support for striking lecturers

Chi Onwurah has been talking about Newcastle’s links with Martin Luther King.

She also uses the opportunity to support striking lecturers.

Chi Onwurah MP at the Labour North Regional Conference
Chi Onwurah MP at the Labour North Regional Conference
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'Wrongs and evils' of government

Forbes is in full campaign mode for May local elections.

Says party can not afford to wait for the next Labour government to “corrects wrongs and evils of this car crash Tory government”.

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Newcastle has come together

Nick Forbes has been speaking about the challenges and achievements of the Labour-led Newcastle council over the last few years.

He says Newcastle has come together to drive out the far right when they have come to the city.

Nick Forbes speaking at the Labour North Regional Conference
Nick Forbes speaking at the Labour North Regional Conference
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Watch speech live here

Jeremy Corbyn is now being introduced by Newcastle city council leader Nick Forbes.

You can watch the speeches live here or on our Facebook page here.

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Should start soon

We’re expecting the speeches to kick off shortly although there is no sign of Jeremy Corbyn’s arrival yet.

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Hall filling up

This time lapse shows the hall filling up - we should be getting under way soon.

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Jeremy Corbyn's podium view

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be in Jeremy Corbyn’s shoes, this is your chance to find out.

The Labour leader will speak from this podium after introductions from Newcastle city council leader Nick Forbes and Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah.

Corbyn's view from lectern
Corbyn's view from lectern
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Anti-Brexit protesters outside university

North West and Cumbria MEP Julie Ward is outside with a group of anti-Brexit protesters.

She believes Jeremy Corbyn can be convinced to become opposed to Brexit which she describes as a “UKIP agenda”.

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View of lecture venue

Reporter Sean says there are pro-EU protesters chanting at Labour members as they arrive to listen to Jeremy Corbyn.

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Fully booked at speech

Here’s how today is going to pan out: Newcastle City Council leader Nick Forbes and Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah will make some opening remarks.

Corbyn is expected to start speaking at about 10.30am in the Curtis auditorium at Newcastle University.

It’s too late to book a seat mind - Labour members only and it’s fully reserved.

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Party members arriving at university

Jeremy Corbyn is now due to make his speech at 10.30am.

Labour party members who are looking forward to his appearance are having some refreshments before the event starts.

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Corbyn t-shirts for sale

Corbyn merchandise is on sale at the University building - including a t-shirt and tote bag.

Corbyn t-shirts for sale
Corbyn t-shirts for sale

The man himself hasn’t yet arrived but Labour members with assigned seats are now turning up.

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Lectern set up in university lecture hall

This is the lectern set up and ready for Jeremy Corbyn.

Lecturn set up for the Labour leader
Lectern set up for the Labour leader

The speech, which will take place in front of Labour party members, is due to kick off at around 9.30am at the Herschel building.

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Questioning the accusations that Russia is behind spy attack

Recently, Mr Corbyn has questioned accusations that Russia is behind the nerve agent attack on former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury.

The Labour leader was among those voicing the possibility that rogue elements within the Russian state might be behind the assassination attempt, warning people not to become “overwhelmed by emotion and hasty judgement”.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (Image: PA)

Writing in the Guardian, he condemned the “horrific” incident but insisted: “A connection to Russian mafia-like groups that have been allowed to gain a toehold in Britain cannot be excluded.”

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Theresa May to give speech on NHS

Meanwhile, Theresa May will tell how she is “eternally grateful” to the NHS after being diagnosed with diabetes in a speech today.

The Prime Minister will insist the Conservative Party “cares deeply” about public services as she speaks about the impact the state has had on her life.

Addressing Tory activists in central London, Mrs May will make an unusually personal speech that reflects on her school years as well as her reliance on the health service.

Prime Minister Theresa May
Prime Minister Theresa May (Image: PA)

Critics of the Government regularly accuse the PM of squeezing public services to breaking point and Labour claimed Mrs May cannot be trusted.

In a speech to the Conservative Party Spring Forum, Mrs May will say: “Some people question our motives. They wonder whether we care enough about our NHS and schools.

“Whether we truly respect the people who work in them. And understand that people rely on them.

“Now, I know what our answer would be. Everyone in this party cares deeply about our public services. We use them. Many of us rely on them.”

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Seeking 'customs union' deal after Brexit

Two weeks ago, Mr Corbyn announced that he wanted to negotiate a new “customs union” with the European Union.

The announcement, in a high-profile speech in Coventry, means a Labour government would try to negotiate a new customs union with the EU, allowing goods to be transported between the UK and EU countries without restrictions after Brexit.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (Image: PA)

The Conservative government has ruled out membership of a customs union, which means there is now a clear difference between the parties on Brexit.

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