UPDATE - Jeremy Corbyn formally blocked from running as Labour MP candidate in next UK election

ADDS STATEMENT FROM CORBYN

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Britain's main opposition Labour Party formally banned its former leader Tuesday from running as a party candidate in the next general election.

The Labour Party's National Executive Committee (NEC) backed a motion from its leader Keir Starmer that said it will not endorse his predecessor, according to reports.

The NEC voted 22-12 to approve Starmer's motion to not allow Corbyn to be endorsed.

Later, Corbyn released a statement, calling the ban on his candidacy for the next election a "shameful attack on party democracy, party members and natural justice."

"Today's disgraceful move shows contempt for the millions of people who voted for our party in 2017 and 2019 and will demotivate those who still believe in the importance of a transformative Labour government," he said.

"I will not be intimidated into silence. I have spent my life fighting for a fairer society on behalf of the people of Islington North, and I have no intention of stopping now.”

Corbyn, 73, who joined the Labour Party at the age of 16, has been elected MP for Islington North in 10 consecutive races since 1983.

Starmer said last month that his party “has changed” and urged members who are not in favor of the change to leave the party.

"If you don't like that, if you don't like the changes that we've made, I say the door is open and you can leave," he said.

He also announced his wish that Corbyn will not stand as a Labour candidate in the next general election.