Len McCluskey spotted with Corbyn’s chief of staff sipping drinks before the Champions League final

Two of Jeremy Corbyn’s closest allies were spotted in a hotel bar in the Spanish capital before last night’s Champions League Final.

Union chief Len McCluskey – an ardent Liverpool fan – and Mr Corbyn’s chief of staff Karie Murphy had pre-lunch drinks at the fivestar Villa Magna hotel in the trendy Salamanca district of Madrid.

While they enjoyed their break, Labour activists were mustering in Peterborough to try to help their embattled leader win Thursday’s crucial by-election.

Mr McCluskey, the Unite general secretary, and Ms Murphy are long-standing friends who play a crucial role in Mr Corbyn’s drive for power

Mr McCluskey, dressed in a linen suit in the sweltering Spanish heat, appeared to be travelling with a group of Liverpool fans.

One of the group was seen enjoying a glass of Henri Abele Brut champagne, which costs £15 in the hotel, at 11am local time.

The hotel, which offers ‘refined Cantonese dining’, has several bars and charges up to £1,200 a night for a room.

Mr McCluskey, the Unite general secretary, and Ms Murphy are long-standing friends who play a crucial role in Mr Corbyn’s drive for power. 

Mr McCluskey’s union is one of Labour’s biggest financial backers and party insiders claim that without him, Mr Corbyn would rapidly lose his grip on the leadership.

Ms Murphy was forced to withdraw as Labour’s parliamentary candidate in Falkirk in 2013 after claims of vote-rigging by local members of Unite. 

But she was given her key role in Mr Corbyn’s Commons office in 2016.

Last summer, Mr McCluskey and Ms Murphy were spotted dining at a Turkish restaurant near the Houses of Parliament.

Unite sources last night said Mr McCluskey was on a trip with friends, and that he paid for it himself.