ZARAH Sultana has hit out at a "racist" cartoon in The Observer newspaper that appeared to mock a new party she is due to form with Jeremy Corbyn.
The former Labour MP has been pictured in a cartoon by Saffron Swire, who is the daughter of ex-Tory MP Baron Swire.
The cartoon is based on an "invitation" to Corbyn's "party" and depicts the ex-Labour leader wearing 1970s disco attire which is branded with the Communist Party logo.
In the corner of the cartoon, there is an image of a "goodie bag" containing a box of raisins saying "Zarah Sultanas" on it, with the image of a "brownfaced" version of the famous Sun-Maid woman.
Sultana sarcastically slated the cartoon on social media, branding Swire a "right-wing hack".
She said on Twitter/X: "Brownfacing a box of raisins and mocking my surname.
"Exactly what you’d expect from a right-wing hack who is the daughter of an aristocrat and ex-Tory MP."
The "cartoon of the week" from Swire attracted a swathe of negative comments on Twitter/X, with dozens of people accusing the paper of racism.
Brownfacing a box of raisins and mocking my surname. Exactly what you’d expect from a right-wing hack who is the daughter of an aristocrat and ex-Tory MP. https://t.co/Zvyt4NlS7M pic.twitter.com/Krhvk8sLCy
— Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) July 20, 2025
Some went as far as to tag Sun-Maid in the comments to highlight the cartoon to bosses.
Award-winning TV producer Richard Sanders shared the cartoon saying: "Sad decline from the newspaper that decided the great Steve Bell was too edgy and dangerous as a cartoonist.
"Leaving aside the racism of the 'Zarah Sultanas' jibe – this simply isn't funny."
Baron Swire served as an MP from 2001 to 2019 and had several ministerial roles. Since 2022, he has been a member of the House of Lords.
Sultana resigned the Labour whip earlier this month to focus on leading a new party with Corbyn – although there has been no formal launch yet.
She had previously been suspended from the party for voting for the two-child benefit cap to be scrapped.
Corbyn has pledged the party will “be for justice”.
A poll suggested last week the new party would be level with Labour when it comes to voting intention.
The survey, conducted by pollsters Find Out Now for LBC News, found that of the 650 people polled, 15% would support the new party, matching Labour’s support at 15%.
Those aged 18–29 were particular backers, with 33% saying they would back a new left-wing party — ahead of Reform UK (24%) and Labour (18%).
The Observer has said it is in the process of removing the cartoon.
A spokesperson said: "We are genuinely sorry for any offence caused and we are in the process of removing the cartoon."
