Jeremy Corbyn’s spin doctor has claimed the new Labour leader “loves the local press” despite sparing just a few minutes with a regional daily whose patch is hosting the party’s conference.

Interim director of communications Kevin Slocombe made the claim to The Argus, Brighton, as the newspaper attempted to interview Mr Corbyn.

The Argus reported its journalist Joel Adams managed to spend a few minutes in a lift speaking with Mr Corbyn, pictured above left in Brighton, as well as two minutes on a couch.

The Argus reported Mr Slocombe as saying his new boss “loves the local press”.

During the interview Mr Corbyn told the paper of his plans to regain seats on its patch, saying: “Of course we’re going to win in Brighton.”

He added: “We’re going to put forward housing policies particularly, about regulation of the private rented sector, and particularly about council house building, those are key policies.”

Mr Corbyn, who announced his candidacy for Labour leader in an interview with his local paper the Islington Tribune, also called for better rail services in Sussex.

The Argus then reported Joel chased Mr Corbyn out the door to ask him his thoughts about Brighton seafront.

He responded: “I think investing in the infrastructure is a job for the local council, but it’s also about how you improve the incentives in the businesses along the front.

“Clearly it does need doing because Brighton, which is a national treasure, has got to be preserved, and expanded. And I will take that on board. I love Brighton.”

The Argus report of the interview reads: “Mr Corbyn’s interim director of communications Kevin Slocombe said Jeremy ‘loves the local press’ but despite his desire to claim back votes in Brighton’s Kemptown and Pavilion constituencies he could only manage to spare a few minutes in a lift to speak to the Argus – and two more minutes on the couch.

“As our reporter chased him out the door to ask him about the seafront he concluded ‘I love Brighton.'”