Jeremy Corbyn pledges crowdfunded 'dream bike' cash to charity

Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn says he will give almost £6,000 donated by well-wishers to pay for his dream bike to charity – and will instead treat himself to the £475 Raleigh Criterium for his birthday in May.

The Labour Party leader was criticised by some elements of the press earlier this week after he said in an interview with Stylist magazine that he had his heart set on the bicycle – the most reasonably priced model in the Raleigh road bike range.

> Jeremy Corbyn reveals his dream bike – but is it too expensive for a socialist?

More than 2,000 supporters of the Islington North MP have backed a crowdfunding campaign to pay for the bike, set up in part to “annoy the right wing press” and once the £475 target had been hit it was suggested that any surplus be donated to a charity of his choice.

> Crowdfunders raise money for Jeremy Corbyn's dream bike

Asked by the Independent on Sunday whether he would buy the bike from the money raised online, he said: “Of course not. I'll give it to charity."

Instead Corbyn, who was said to have been “humbled” by the gesture, has said he will pay for the bicycle out of his own pocket.