Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
MPs set to resign from Labour Party
LABOUR is on the brink of a split, with a group of M Ps ex pected to resig n from the party in protest at Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership over Brexit.
Simmering tensions within Labour ranks over Mr Corbyn’s approach to leaving the European Union and the party leadership’s handling of anti-Semitism allegations are expected to result in a schism.
A group of the party’s MPs were due to make a statement “relating to the future of British politics” today.
Key figures believed to be on the verge of leaving did not respond to requests for comment.
Speculation has centred on MPs including former shadow cabinet ministers Chuka Umunna, Chris Leslie and Owen Smith.
They have remained tightlipped about the situation and former leadership challenger Mr Smith said he was “not commenting” on the rumours.
There has been anger from some pro-EU Labour MPs at Mr Corbyn’s refusal to throw the party’s weight behind calls for a so-called People’s Vote on Brexit.
Labour MP Stephen Kinnock said in a radio interview: “The talk has been going on so long that I say with great regret that, yes, there probably will be some kind of splintering.
“It just seems to have been in the rumour mill so long that it’s unlikely that wouldn’t be the outcome.”
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said he did not see “any need for anybody to split from the party”.
Mr McDonnell also revealed that Labour would “look at” a proposal put forward by backbenchers Peter Kyle and Phil Wilson to back a second Brexit referendum in the next round of votes on February 27.
Former Labour vice-chairman Michael Dugher said at the weekend that he is intending to leave the party, saying he regards it as “institutionally anti-Semitic”.