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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Politics
Tim Baker

Jeremy Corbyn slammed online for 'petulant' behaviour towards Boris Johnson at Queen's Speech ceremony

Jeremy Corbyn was slammed for his "petulance" as he walked to the House of Lords alongside Boris Johnson to the Queen's Speech today.

The outgoing leader of the Labour Party looked stony faced and stared resolutely ahead as he walked in silence from the Commons to the upper house with the Prime Minister.

Mr Corbyn kept a half pace ahead of his rival, without making eye-contact. He briefly smiled as he walked past someone he recognised, but did not appear to smile at Mr Johnson.

In contrast, Mr Johnson - who convincingly beat Mr Corbyn's Labour in the polls last week - looked delighted to be at the Lords.

The pair were filmed on camera as they walked between the two houses to listen to the Queen's Speech.

BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said Mr Corbyn’s body language looked “seething”.

She described the scene as "absolutely extraordinary".

Meanwhile, shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry and the SNP's Westminster leader Ian Blackford could be seen in animated conversation following on from the two main party leaders.

Thursday's event was slightly less formal than the opening held back in October, with the usual pomp scaled back.

After today's formalities, the PM is expected to bring back his Withdrawal Agreement Bill on Friday.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, right, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn at the previous opening in October (PA)

At the previous Queen's Speech back on October 14 this year, Mr Corbyn and Mr Johnson looked slightly more at ease with each other.

Mr Corbyn was also seen chatting with former Prime Minister Theresa May at the opening of Parliament in 2017.

Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn walking back after listening to Queen's Speech in 2017. (AFP/Getty Images)

Today's speech set out Mr Johnson's legislative agenda, which he will be able to act on thanks to his 80 seat majority.

Among pledges made in the speech, the Prime Minister promised tougher sentences for terrorists, help for first time home buyers and a £100 billion investment infrastructure.

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