Keir Starmer criticises Johnny Mercer for attack on candidate’s service record

Mr Thomas said he had proudly served his country for seven years “including overseas on operations”.

“I remain unable to discuss much of my service, something which Johnny Mercer – as a former defence minister – is keenly aware of,” he said.

“I look forward to using every day until 4 July to take the message of Keir Starmer’s changed Labour Party to the voters of Plymouth Moor View.”

Mr Mercer first made the accusations at a hustings in Plymouth on Wednesday.

He said he did not dispute Mr Thomas’s service in the Royal Marines or that he “indeed conducted one operational tour where he found himself in challenging environments – on the contrary I respect his service”.

But he said serving in combat had “a special meaning and carries special responsibilities”.

The Labour Party on Friday told the BBC Mr Thomas had been misreported in the Guardian article.

Mr Thomas cited his certificate of valediction which was signed by an unnamed commanding officer of the Special Forces Support Group.

The other candidates in Plymouth Moor View are Shaun Hooper for Reform UK, Sarah Martin for the Liberal Democrats and Georgia Nelson for the Green Party.