US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has been recorded saying he would “push back” against an elected Labour government if it looked like it was about to pose difficulties for Jews.

In the leaked tape of a meeting with Jewish leaders in New York, published by the Washington Post, Mr Pompeo was asked, “[If Corbyn] is elected, would you be willing to work with us to take on actions if life becomes very difficult for Jews in the UK?”

Mr Pompeo responded: “It could be that Mr Corbyn manages to run the gantlet and get elected. It’s possible. You should know, we won’t wait for him to do those things to begin to push back. We will do our level best.”

Donald Trump refused a request for a meeting with Mr Corbyn during the US President’s visit to the UK last week, saying the Labour leader was “somewhat of a negative force”.

Mr Corbyn joined protests outside Mr Trump’s press conference with Theresa May, where he pledged to oppose the US president’s drive for greater access for US health companies to NHS contracts.