Jeremy Corbyn has pulled out of a planned appearance at the annual Stop the War coalition conference, his final as chairman of the group.
The Labour leader has been a leading member of the group for more than a decade and had been expected to deliver a speech at the meeting on Saturday.
A spokesman for Corbyn, who a week ago won the party leadership in a landslide victory, said he was unable to attend because of his busy schedule.
“His diary is now obviously very busy and today he is preparing for Labour party conference,” the spokesman said. “He has made a clear commitment that he will find time to attend an event with Stop the War in the future. He is still very much committed.”
The spokesman denied that the Labour leader was pulling out because of the toll of his first week as leader, claiming he was instead using the time to prepare for the Labour party conference later this month.
Corbyn, who has spoken at numerous rallies held by the anti-war group since joining in 2001, was to provide a statement to be read in his absence.
The decision not to attend comes after he turned down an invitation to the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup on Friday evening.
Corbyn has had a mixed first week as Labour leader. He was praised on Wednesday for his attempt to put an end to the “theatrical” nature of prime minister’s questions by tabling questions submitted by members of the public.
But he has also been accused of sexism over his top cabinet appointments and faced criticism for not singing the national anthem at a Battle of Britain commemorative service.
