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Brexit live: 'Corbyn is a decent man, but he's not a leader,' Hilary Benn says Brexit triggers Labour crisis: 'Corbyn's not a leader,' Hilary Benn says - live updates
(35 minutes later)
11.13am BST
11:13
Here is an extract from Gloria De Piero’s resignation letter, as quoted in Anushka’s story. De Piero told Corbyn:
I have always enjoyed a warm personal relationship with you and I want to thank you for the opportunity to serve in your shadow cabinet. I accepted that invitation because I thought it was right to support you in your attempt to achieve the Labour victory the country so badly needs.
I do not believe you can deliver that victory at a general election, which may take place in a matter of months. I have been contacted by many of my members this weekend and It is clear that a good number of them share that view and have lost faith in your leadership.
11.08am BST
11:08
Gloria De Piero resigns from shadow cabinet
Anushka Asthana
Gloria De Piero, the shadow minister for young people and voter registration, has resigned, my colleague Anushka Asthana reports.
Gloria de Piero has become the latest high-profile MP to resign from Jeremy Corbyn’s cabinet, with more than half of the team expected to stand down on Sunday in a coup against Jeremy Corbyn, triggered by the result of the EU referendum and the leader’s decision to sack Hilary Benn.
Several members of shadow cabinet told the Guardian they were writing their resignation letters after Heidi Alexander, the shadow health secretary, stepped down on Sunday morning.
Related: Half of Labour shadow cabinet set to resign after Hilary Benn sacked
Updated
at 11.13am BST
11.04am BST
11:04
The Labour MP Ivan Lewis, a former shadow cabinet member who is now running to be the party’s candidate for the Greater Manchester mayoralty, has said Corbyn should resign. He said:
Unfortunately, it is clear Jeremy Corbyn cannot lead us back to government and there is a real risk we will suffer a worse election result than in 2015.
11.02am BST
11:02
Rajeev Syal
The grassroots movement widely seen as responsible for ensuring that Jeremy Corbyn became Labour’s leader has launched a campaign to save him in the face of resignations from the shadow cabinet.
Momentum is already planning to set up phone banks across the UK to bring out its claimed 100,000 supporters, and recruit new ones, sources said.
11.00am BST
11:00
The BBC is saying that up to nine members of the shadow cabinet will resign.
11.00am BST
11:00
Libby Brooks
Nicola Sturgeon has warned any future Conservative prime minster against blocking a second referendum on Scottish independence.
Asked on the Andrew Marr Show this morning what her reaction would be should the next Tory leader refuse to allow a new independence poll, Scotland’s first minister replied:
I think the people of Scotland would find that completely unacceptable.
I don’t think it is acceptable in the context we find ourselves in for anybody trying to dictate to Scotland the terms of how we seek to take the country forward. It is simply not acceptable and I would caution any future prime minister against putting themselves in that position.
Surgeon also insisted that if a second independence referendum is held, prompted by the UK-wide vote to leave the EU, despite every local authority in Scotland voting to remain, “it is not going to be a re-run of the 2014 referendum”.
The context and the circumstances have changed dramatically the UK that Scotland voted to remain within in 2014 doesn’t exist anymore.
Her warning came as a polling carried out immediately after the EU referendum result reveals a healthy bounce in support for independence. In 2014, Scotland voted to remain part of the UK by 55% to 45%.
10.57am BST
10:57
John McDonnell's interview on Peston on Sunday
John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, is up next.
Q: Can Corbyn survive?
Yes, says McDonnell. He says he is saddened and disappointed by what is going on.
Q: You won’t put yourself forward?
No, says McDonnell. If there is contest, Corbyn will stand, and McDonnell will run his campaign. He says Corbyn will win again. He has walked every electoral contest he has faced.
McDonnell is repeating some of the points he made earlier on the Sunday Politics.
10.54am BST
10:54
Heidi Alexander's interview on Peston on Sunday
Heidi Alexander, who resigned this morning as shadow health secretary, is on Peston on Sunday.
She says she is not standing for the leadership herself.
Q; How many more shadow cabinet ministers will resign?
Alexander says she thinks “a fair number” are in the same position.
Q: We have heard 10.
Alexander says she is not sure what the numbers are.
Q: When should Labour get a new leader.
Alexander says many in Labour are desperately unhappy with the the EU referendum result. She says she thinks it makes sense for Labour to have its leadership contest at the same time as the Tory one.
10.50am BST
10:50
The former Labour MP Chris Williamson, a Corbyn supporter, has criticised those trying to undermine him.
I am shocked by the conniving behaviour of some Labour MPs at this time of great national uncertainty. Their duty is to unify not to plot.
He has also flagged up this research which challenges claims that Corbyn fought a low-key campaign in the referendum.
This research gives the lie to the plotters' assertions about Jeremy's role in the EU referendum. #KeepCorbyn https://t.co/CYQgDgKanY
10.44am BST
10:44
Q: Remain might have won if Labour had not fought such a half-hearted campaign?
Blair says he has made his comments about that.
A lot of Labour voters will be realising voting leave was not a smart move.
Q: Should there be a coup against Corbyn?
Blair says he came on this programme to talk about Europe. This is for the parliamentary party. It is not right or helpful for him to intervene, he says.
10.42am BST
10:42
Back to the Blair interview.
Q: Why did remain lose?
Blair says the remain side could have lost in a similar referendum in any country in Europe.
Q: But why did remain lose?
If you take dissatisfaction with the status quo, and flatlining incomes, and anxiety about immigration, plus the media fuelling that, it is going to be tough to win.
Q: People felt the elite were not listening to them?
Blair says you do have to listen to people on immigration. He fought the 2005 election on this. But he says eastern Europeans have made a good contribution to this country.
Q: You did not build enough houses.
Blair says his government invested massively in these communities, in health and education. Housing is a problem, he says. But he says you need to provide housing for the population as a whole.
Updated
at 10.45am BST
10.38am BST10.38am BST
10:3810:38
Chris Leslie says Corbyn should resignChris Leslie says Corbyn should resign
Chris Leslie, the former shadow chancellor, is on Sky News. He is calling on Jeremy Corbyn to do the decent thing and resign.Chris Leslie, the former shadow chancellor, is on Sky News. He is calling on Jeremy Corbyn to do the decent thing and resign.
10.37am BST10.37am BST
10:3710:37
Tony Blair's interview on the Sunday PoliticsTony Blair's interview on the Sunday Politics
Tony Blair, the former Labour prime minister, says the UK is like a family that has taken a decision to swap its home without knowing what the new home will look like. Some people say the new home will be great. Others say it will be terrible. Tony Blair, the former Labour prime minister, says the UK is like a family that has taken a decision to swap its home without knowing what the new home will look like. Some people say the new home will be great. Others say it will be terrible. We do not know what our future outside the EU will look like, he says.
We do not know what our future outside the EU will look like, he says.
He says he would advise the government to take its time, and to ensure the public are still engaged.He says he would advise the government to take its time, and to ensure the public are still engaged.
Q: What kind of relationship do you favour?Q: What kind of relationship do you favour?
Blair says it is important to have as much access to the single market as possible. And he says he wants Britain to continue to have influence.Blair says it is important to have as much access to the single market as possible. And he says he wants Britain to continue to have influence.
He says we are independent now. He says he cannot think of a time when he was prime minister when Europe stopped him doing something he wanted to do.He says we are independent now. He says he cannot think of a time when he was prime minister when Europe stopped him doing something he wanted to do.
Q: Do you rule out another referendum?Q: Do you rule out another referendum?
Blair says he cannot see how you can do that. But why rule anything out. Blair says he cannot see how you can do that. But why rule anything out. The markets have fallen. Perhaps they will steady. The British public need to see the reality.
The markets have fallen. Perhaps they will steady. The British public need to see the reality.
Q: Once we know what our relationship with the EU will be like, should we have a referendum on that?Q: Once we know what our relationship with the EU will be like, should we have a referendum on that?
Blair says he cannot see how you would do that. Blair says he cannot see how you would do that. But parliament will want to consider the deal.
But parliament will want to consider the deal. Updated
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10.32am BST10.32am BST
10:3210:32
McDonnell says Labour no longer needs to defend free movement of labour because that has no gone, following the decision of the public to vote to leave the EU. McDonnell says Labour no longer needs to defend free movement of labour because that has now gone, following the decision of the public to vote to leave the EU.
He says the referendum was not just about immigration. It was about communities that feel left behind voting to leave, he says.He says the referendum was not just about immigration. It was about communities that feel left behind voting to leave, he says.
Updated
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10.28am BST10.28am BST
10:2810:28
John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, is on Radio 5 Live’s Pienaar’s Politics now.John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, is on Radio 5 Live’s Pienaar’s Politics now.
McDonnell says he thinks there will be an election in November. But it could be May next year, he says. He says he thinks the new prime minister will want a mandate. McDonnell says he thinks there will be an election in November but it could be May next year. He says he thinks the new prime minister will want a mandate.
Q: Jeremy Corbyn is out of touch with Labour supporters on immigration.Q: Jeremy Corbyn is out of touch with Labour supporters on immigration.
McDonnell says he thinks Corbyn was were most people are - in favour of the EU, but sceptical about it. McDonnell says he thinks Corbyn was where most people are – in favour of the EU but sceptical about it.
The leave camp won by a small margin, he says.The leave camp won by a small margin, he says.
He says people think we can now get a better deal out of the EU.He says people think we can now get a better deal out of the EU.
Q: The leader of a party needs the support of his parliamentary party. Corbyn has lost it.Q: The leader of a party needs the support of his parliamentary party. Corbyn has lost it.
McDonnell says the sovereign body in the labour party is the membership. McDonnell says the sovereign body in the Labour party is the membership. If they need to test the views of members again, they will do so.
If they need to test the views of members again, they will do so. Updated
at 10.41am BST
10.25am BST10.25am BST
10:2510:25
Anushka AsthanaAnushka Asthana
There is a question over what happens next. The mass resignations from the shadow cabinet will destabilise his leadership, and are likely to trigger a direct challenge. Corbyn’s team believe that he has the automatic right to be back on the ballot paper, knowing that he might struggle to get enough MPs to nominate him. But others disagree. There is a question over what happens next. The mass resignations from the shadow cabinet will destabilise Corbyn’s leadership, and are likely to trigger a direct challenge. His team believes that he has the automatic right to be back on the ballot paper, knowing that he might struggle to get enough MPs to nominate him. But others disagree.
A Labour source said:A Labour source said:
When Jeremy Corbyn nominated Tony Benn in 1988 against the democratically leader of the time, Neil Kinnock, Benn and Kinnock had to get nominations.When Jeremy Corbyn nominated Tony Benn in 1988 against the democratically leader of the time, Neil Kinnock, Benn and Kinnock had to get nominations.
The other question is whether rebels have any hope of toppling him among members. One shadow cabinet source said it would be difficult to beat Corbyn but that members had shifted position. One shadow cabinet source said:The other question is whether rebels have any hope of toppling him among members. One shadow cabinet source said it would be difficult to beat Corbyn but that members had shifted position. One shadow cabinet source said:
I have been struck by the number of grassroots party members getting in touch with me over the last 24 hours who said they had voted for Jeremy but now he has to go.I have been struck by the number of grassroots party members getting in touch with me over the last 24 hours who said they had voted for Jeremy but now he has to go.
Updated
at 10.43am BST
10.23am BST10.23am BST
10:2310:23
Abbott says Corbyn's critics have been planning a coup for monthsAbbott says Corbyn's critics have been planning a coup for months
Rajeev SyalRajeev Syal
Diane Abbott, the shadow international development secretary and Corbyn’s staunch ally, said that some her colleagues have been planning to launch today’s coup for months, whatever the result in the EU referendum. Diane Abbott, the shadow international development secretary and Corbyn’s staunch ally, said that some of her colleagues have been planning to launch this coup for months, whatever the result in the EU referendum.
She called the challenge to his leadership “a recipe for unhappiness” and called for the party to fall in to line, saying they could not challenge either the unions who back Corbyn or the membership who overwhelmingly support him. She called the challenge to his leadership “a recipe for unhappiness” and called for the party to fall in line, saying they could not challenge either the unions who back Corbyn or the membership who overwhelmingly support him.
This has been planned for a long time. There has been a plan to challenge Jeremy for a long time, because many have failed to reconcile themselves with his victory last year.This has been planned for a long time. There has been a plan to challenge Jeremy for a long time, because many have failed to reconcile themselves with his victory last year.
They have planned this for months, it would have happened almost whatever happened.They planned this for months everyone knows that. They held off for the local elections because they didn’t want to disrupt the European campaign. They have planned this for months, it would have happened almost whatever happened. They planned this for months, everyone knows that. They held off for the local elections because they didn’t want to disrupt the European campaign.
I think there has been a group of MPs who have never reconciled themselves with last year’s leadership election and it has never stopped.I think there has been a group of MPs who have never reconciled themselves with last year’s leadership election and it has never stopped.
She warned that they would not be able to overcome Corbyn’s support in the party’s members who voted overwhelmingly for him in last year’s leadership election.She warned that they would not be able to overcome Corbyn’s support in the party’s members who voted overwhelmingly for him in last year’s leadership election.
They are the ones who are picking a fight with the membership and we will have to see how that goes. That doesn’t exist in the Labour party rule back. If they want a new leader, they have to find a candidate and run for election.They are the ones who are picking a fight with the membership and we will have to see how that goes. That doesn’t exist in the Labour party rule back. If they want a new leader, they have to find a candidate and run for election.
But this idea that it is all to do with the Euro referendum, is not true.But this idea that it is all to do with the Euro referendum, is not true.
She criticised Hilary’s Benn’s decision to resign, saying he is wrong to blame Corbyn for failings in the referendum campaign.She criticised Hilary’s Benn’s decision to resign, saying he is wrong to blame Corbyn for failings in the referendum campaign.
Some of these people challenging Jeremy have themselves have big vote to Leave in their own constituency. Some of these people challenging Jeremy have themselves had a big vote to leave in their own constituency.
If you look at Hilary Benn’s constituency, there is a big majority for leave. So if they had a magic answer on how to get disaffected Labour voters to come out for Labour voters, I am surprised that they didn’t actually exercise that solution in their own constituencies.If you look at Hilary Benn’s constituency, there is a big majority for leave. So if they had a magic answer on how to get disaffected Labour voters to come out for Labour voters, I am surprised that they didn’t actually exercise that solution in their own constituencies.
As it happens, 60% of the Labour vote have come out to vote for remain. If Cameron had got a similar proportion of Tory voters, we would have won the referendum.As it happens, 60% of the Labour vote have come out to vote for remain. If Cameron had got a similar proportion of Tory voters, we would have won the referendum.
I think party members are going to be baffled and upset. What they want is for the party to unite at a difficult time for the country.I think party members are going to be baffled and upset. What they want is for the party to unite at a difficult time for the country.
I don’t think this will lead to the break-up of the party. I came through the whole SDP period. The trade unions who provide the foundation and support for the labour movement are behind Jeremy, they are not going to swing behind some breakaway Labour party faction.I don’t think this will lead to the break-up of the party. I came through the whole SDP period. The trade unions who provide the foundation and support for the labour movement are behind Jeremy, they are not going to swing behind some breakaway Labour party faction.
Updated
at 11.13am BST
10.17am BST10.17am BST
10:1710:17
McDonnell rules out standing for the Labour leadershipMcDonnell rules out standing for the Labour leadership
Q: Corbyn said on Friday morning the government should trigger article 50, to start the EU withdrawal process, immediately. Twelve hours later he was saying that should be delayed.Q: Corbyn said on Friday morning the government should trigger article 50, to start the EU withdrawal process, immediately. Twelve hours later he was saying that should be delayed.
McDonnell says Labour wants what is best for the country.McDonnell says Labour wants what is best for the country.
Q: Are you on leadership manoeuvres.Q: Are you on leadership manoeuvres.
McDonnell says he will never stand for the leadership of the Labour party.McDonnell says he will never stand for the leadership of the Labour party.
If there is another contest, McDonnell says he will chair Corbyn’s leadership contest.If there is another contest, McDonnell says he will chair Corbyn’s leadership contest.
Q: To clarify - if Corbyn was not a candidate, you would not stand?Q: To clarify - if Corbyn was not a candidate, you would not stand?
McDonnell says Corbyn would be standing.McDonnell says Corbyn would be standing.
Q: Why is Seema Malhotra, the shadow chief secretary to the Treasury and part of your team, been ringing around MP canvassing support for a leadership bid by you.Q: Why is Seema Malhotra, the shadow chief secretary to the Treasury and part of your team, been ringing around MP canvassing support for a leadership bid by you.
McDonnell says she is not doing that.McDonnell says she is not doing that.
Q: We have been told she has.Q: We have been told she has.
McDonnell says he has not spoken to her about that. But he thinks this is not true.McDonnell says he has not spoken to her about that. But he thinks this is not true.
And McDonnell’s interview is over. I will post a summary soon.And McDonnell’s interview is over. I will post a summary soon.
10.12am BST10.12am BST
10:1210:12
John McDonnell's interview on the Sunday PoliticsJohn McDonnell's interview on the Sunday Politics
John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor and Jeremy Corbyn’s closest ally, is being interviewed on the Sunday Politics.John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor and Jeremy Corbyn’s closest ally, is being interviewed on the Sunday Politics.
He says Jeremy Corbyn is not going anywhere. He says he was elected with a huge mandate less than a year ago.He says Jeremy Corbyn is not going anywhere. He says he was elected with a huge mandate less than a year ago.
He says if shadow cabinet ministers resign, they will be replaced.He says if shadow cabinet ministers resign, they will be replaced.
He says Labour is on course to win the general election. Every electoral test Corbyn has faced since he was elected, he has won.He says Labour is on course to win the general election. Every electoral test Corbyn has faced since he was elected, he has won.
Q: Except for the EU referendum.Q: Except for the EU referendum.
That was not just Corbyn’s challenge, McDonnell says.That was not just Corbyn’s challenge, McDonnell says.
He says Corbyn was expected to deliver Labour supporters and young people. And both those groups backed Remain.He says Corbyn was expected to deliver Labour supporters and young people. And both those groups backed Remain.
10.09am BST
10:09
Hilary Benn's Marr interview - Summary
Here are the key points from Hilary Benn’s interview on the Andrew Marr show.
[Corbyn] is a good and decent man, but he is not a leader.
9.57am BST
09:57
This is from the BBC’s Callum May.
BBC News understands Lillian Greenwood, the shadow transport secretary, will resign later
9.56am BST
09:56
Q: Does Labour need a new structure to cope with having a PLP out of tune with the membership?
Benn says that is not a matter for today.
He says he does not blame Corbyn for the referendum result. But he did not bring much enthusiasm to the task, he adds.
And that’s it. I will post a summary in a moment.
Updated
at 10.07am BST
9.55am BST
09:55
Q: Should Corbyn resign now?
Benn says he no longer has confidence in him. That would be the right thing for him to do. But it is up to him.
Q: Do you have a preferred alternative leader?
No, says Benn. He says this is not about pushing an alternative.
Q: If Corbyn is trounced in the confidence vote, is it over for him?
Benn says it would be very difficult for him to survive.
Updated
at 10.07am BST
9.53am BST
09:53
Q: Even if the parliamentary party rejects Corbyn, the membership will choose him again, won’t it?
Benn says that depends. He says there are people who voted for Corbyn who are now saying it is not working.
The party has to be an effective political force, he says. He says there are polling figures showing a third of people who supported Labour in 2015 would not vote for the party now.
Updated
at 10.08am BST
9.52am BST
09:52
Q: Could Labour stand for election on the basis that it would overturn the referendum result?
Benn says he thinks the party has to respect the decision the country has taken.
Q: Would you stand for the leadership?
No, says Benn.
9.51am BST
09:51
Q: Corbyn was elected with a large majority less than a year ago. Isn’t this the worst time to be doing this?
Benn says he wanted Corbyn to succeed. But it is clear he is not succeeding. He says Labour has a duty to provide the country with a strong opposition.
Q: Do you think Corbyn will have to go on Tuesday, when the no confidence motion is voted on?
Benn says we need strong leadership to deal with the challenges the country faces. We need to work out what relationship we have with Europe.
He says he wants the UK to retain access to the single market.
Updated
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9.49am BST
09:49
Q: Do you accept you were disloyal?
Benn says he said what he thought was true. That is important, he says.
9.48am BST
09:48
Hilary Benn's interview on Andrew Marr
Hilary Benn is on the Andrew Marr Show now.
He says it was becoming increasingly clear to him that there was increasing concern in the party about Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership. He told Corbyn this last night. Corbyn then dismissed him.
He says he is not confident the party could win a general election with Corbyn as leader.
Q: Will there be more resignations?
Benn says it is for each individual to make their decision.
He says:
[Corbyn] is a good and decent man, but he is not a leader.
9.44am BST
09:44
Anushka Asthana
This is from a shadow cabinet source.
I have been struck by the number of grassroots party members getting in touch with me over the last 24 hours who said they had voted for Jeremy but now he has to go.