Ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn confirms he will attend controversial Armistice ... trends now

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is planning to attend a controversial pro-Palestinian demonstration in London on Armistice Day despite police pleas for it to be cancelled.

The hard Left icon revealed today that he intends to join more than 70,000 people expected to flock to the capital on Saturday to protest against Israel's bloody bombardment of Gaza.

But fears are growing that members of the far-Right will clash with protesters at the march, which comes a few hours after a two-minute silence will be held at the Cenotaph for fallen servicemen and women.

In a message to supporters, Mr Corbyn urged them to join him at the march, saying: 'With the Home Secretary stoking division and calling these peace marches ''hate marches'', it is more important than ever to stand up for the right to protest and a peaceful way forward.'

The attendance of Mr Corbyn, who now sits as an independent, will raise questions over whether Labour backbenchers allied to him will also attend.

Sir Keir Starmer has been trying to quench a burning row over the conflict. He has refused demands from backbenchers and some frontbenchers for a ceasefire, arguing it will help Hamas regroup.  Instead he has backed short 'humanitarian pauses' to allow aid into the besieged enclave. 

Today in the Commons he took a hard line with Israel over mounting civilian casualties in its reprisals for the Hamas terror attack a month ago that left 1,400 Israelis dead.

'Israel has the right and duty to defend herself but it is not a blank cheque, it must comply with international law,' he said.