A string of Labour shadow cabinet members have quit, with more walkouts expected, in protest at Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership over the EU referendum.
Heidi Alexander, Ian Murray, Gloria de Piero, Lillian Greenwood, Lucy Powell, Kerry McCarthy and Seema Malhotra quit.
It comes after Mr Corbyn sacked shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn.
Mr Corbyn faces a vote of no confidence following a “lacklustre” EU campaign but shadow chancellor John McDonnell said he “wasn’t going anywhere”.
Mr McDonnell and shadow cabinet members Andy Burnham, Diane Abbott and Emily Thornberry have given Mr Corbyn their support despite the resignations.
Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Vernon Coaker has said he is considering his position.
The Labour Party campaigned for Remain during the referendum, which saw the UK voting to leave the EU by 52% to 48% on Thursday.
But Mr Corbyn – who has been a long-standing critic of the EU and who is regarded as the most Eurosceptic Labour leader in years – was accused by some in his party of not making the case for the EU forcefully enough.
As a result, a motion of no confidence against Mr Corbyn has been submitted by Labour MPs Dame Margaret Hodge and Ann Coffey – and it is expected to considered at the next meet of Labour MPs on Monday. A secret ballot could be held the following day. Sources close to Mr Corbyn have said he would stand again in the event of any leadership election – and Mr McDonnell said he would chair his campaign again. Meanwhile, union members on Labour’s National Executive are to call for unity and will support Mr Corbyn’s leadership.
