Overview

• Zarah Sultana accused Observer cartoonist Saffron Swire of brownfacing by depicting her surname on a dark-skinned raisin box parody.
• The Observer said it was genuinely sorry for any offence caused and removed the image, but it has not offered Sultana a direct apology.
• The cartoon mimicked the Sun-Maid design with a “Zarah Sultanas” box, a darker-skinned “raisin girl” and a mock invitation to a Corbyn-led gathering.
• Sultana resigned from Labour on July 3 to co-lead an unnamed hard-left party with Jeremy Corbyn in opposition to recent welfare cuts.
• Corbyn’s formal role is still being discussed as the movement builds support under the provisional “Team Zarah” banner.