Corbyn's korma delight

LABOUR Party leader Jeremy Corbyn with Westwood East Restaurant owner Jamal Uddin and Mr Corbyn's wife Laura Alvarez

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

LABOUR leader Jeremy Corbyn enjoyed a cool korma in one of Oldham's popular curry houses as a precursor to his heated BBC Question Time debate with rival Owen Smith MP.

Mr Corbyn and his eight-strong entourage - which included his wife, Laura Alvarez, and Oldham councillors, Adbul Jabbar and Shoab Akhtar - popped into Westwood East restaurant for a meal before last Thursday's live showdown with leadership contender Mr Smith at Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Delighted restaurant owner Jamal Uddin said he was given just an hour's notice of Mr Corbyn's impending arrival.

Mr Corbyn enjoyed a private dining experience at the Eleanor Street eaterie in an upstairs room, opting for a vegetable korma while his wife had a vegetable special tawa, said Mr Uddin.

"We got the call at about 5.30pm so it was a bit of rush to get things ready," said Mr Uddin.

"We were very excited to welcome Mr Corbyn to our restaurant. It made me very happy.

"He noticed a picture on my wall and said he liked it as it reminded him of his time in Bangladesh."

Mr Corbyn was full of praise for the restaurant's food and service when he signed their visitors' book before leaving.

He added: "Thank you so much to everyone at Westwood East for your wonderful hospitality and delicious food - from all of our team!".