Scandal-hit leadership warned his exit could open floodgates

LABOUR was warned yesterday that Frank Field’s departure could spark an exodus of unhappy MPs.

Mike Gapes, who represents Ilford South, said he was “agonising” over his future in the party, which has been rocked by allegations of antiSemitism and bullying.

And MP Wes Streeting said Labour faced its biggest crisis since 1981, when a disgruntled faction split to form the SDP.

Mr Field, who resigned the whip on Thursday in protest at Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, said he could trigger a by-election in his Birkenhead seat.

He said: “Over the next few days, that’s clearly a question I will have to think about.”

Warning the veteran, 76, “won’t be the last” to go, Mr Streeting said: “Anti-Semitism and the toxic political culture need to be addressed by the leadership if they’re to stop this becoming a full-scale existential crisis. I’ve made

Tclear I’m not about to leave but I’m afraid Frank Field isn’t the first MP to quit and at this rate he won’t be the last. This is the biggest crisis facing the party since 1981.”

Labour MP John Mann added: “It’s a possibility others will go unless the racism, the bullying, is stopped.”

Mr Gapes said his decision hese are frustrating times for anyone who wants to see a Labour Government. With the Tories tearing themselves apart over Brexit, communities struggling with the impact of austerity and public services buckling under the strain of cuts, this should be when Labour is giving voice to the concerns the rest of the country is singing. hinged on next week’s meetings of the party’s National Executive Committee and the Parliamentary Labour Party.

The NEC votes on Tuesday on adopting the full International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition on anti-Semitism. It will also be raised at Wednesday’s meeting of MPs and peers. Mr Gapes said he felt “tainted and sickened” by Labour’s rows, adding: “There are no good options.”

Meanwhile, Mr Field met Chief Whip Nick Brown and was reportedly told his move to sit as an independent MP means he must quit the party.

Allies of Mr Corbyn said Mr Field had “jumped before he was pushed” after his local party delivered a vote of no confidence over him backing the Tories on a key Brexit vote.

But taking a swipe at Momentum, which celebrated Field’s exit, Labour MP Neil Coyle said: “Anyone cheering his departure does not want or even pretend to care about a Labour Government.”