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Owen Smith says Corbyn 'threatening MPs with sack' Owen Smith says Corbyn 'threatening MPs with sack'
(35 minutes later)
Labour leadership hopeful Owen Smith has accused Jeremy Corbyn of "threatening to sack" MPs with his comments about candidate selections.Labour leadership hopeful Owen Smith has accused Jeremy Corbyn of "threatening to sack" MPs with his comments about candidate selections.
Earlier Mr Corbyn said there would be a "full and open selection process" in every seat if new constituency boundaries were in place before 2020.Earlier Mr Corbyn said there would be a "full and open selection process" in every seat if new constituency boundaries were in place before 2020.
His critics in the parliamentary party fear this would allow pro-Corbyn members to force them out.His critics in the parliamentary party fear this would allow pro-Corbyn members to force them out.
Mr Smith said Mr Corbyn was prepared to see the party split.Mr Smith said Mr Corbyn was prepared to see the party split.
"It's not much of an employer that says, you know, work for me and work harder or I'm going to sack you all - which is effectively what he's doing today," Mr Smith told the BBC."It's not much of an employer that says, you know, work for me and work harder or I'm going to sack you all - which is effectively what he's doing today," Mr Smith told the BBC.
He added: "I don't think he (Mr Corbyn) feels he can bring the party back together, that's why he's talking about re-selections because I think he is reconciled, I think he is fatalistic about the prospect of the party splitting apart and being destroyed.He added: "I don't think he (Mr Corbyn) feels he can bring the party back together, that's why he's talking about re-selections because I think he is reconciled, I think he is fatalistic about the prospect of the party splitting apart and being destroyed.
"He just wants to control the Labour Party.""He just wants to control the Labour Party."
Mr Smith and Mr Corbyn are going head-to-head in Labour's leadership contest.Mr Smith and Mr Corbyn are going head-to-head in Labour's leadership contest.
Although most Labour MPs want the veteran Labour left-winger and serial rebel during the New Labour years to stand aside - and never supported him as a leader in the first place - Mr Corbyn was the overwhelming choice for leader from the party's wider membership last year.Although most Labour MPs want the veteran Labour left-winger and serial rebel during the New Labour years to stand aside - and never supported him as a leader in the first place - Mr Corbyn was the overwhelming choice for leader from the party's wider membership last year.
He is still believed to be supported by Labour members and registered supporters - which has led some critical MPs to fear the government's planned boundary review, due to be published in 2018 and reduce the number of MPs from 650 to 600, could be used to replace them with Corbyn supporters.He is still believed to be supported by Labour members and registered supporters - which has led some critical MPs to fear the government's planned boundary review, due to be published in 2018 and reduce the number of MPs from 650 to 600, could be used to replace them with Corbyn supporters.
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has previously said there was "no way" the review would be used to allow the new wave of Corbyn-supporting Labour members to deselect MPs.Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has previously said there was "no way" the review would be used to allow the new wave of Corbyn-supporting Labour members to deselect MPs.
But taking questions after he launched his leadership campaign, Mr Corbyn said that if the next general election takes place on the revised boundaries: "There would be a full selection process in every constituency but the sitting MP... would have an opportunity to put their name forward.But taking questions after he launched his leadership campaign, Mr Corbyn said that if the next general election takes place on the revised boundaries: "There would be a full selection process in every constituency but the sitting MP... would have an opportunity to put their name forward.
"So there will be a full and open selection process for every constituency Labour Party through the whole of the UK.""So there will be a full and open selection process for every constituency Labour Party through the whole of the UK."
Mr Corbyn's critics said this amounted to a deselection threat - but the leader's team said he had simply been setting out the existing rules.Mr Corbyn's critics said this amounted to a deselection threat - but the leader's team said he had simply been setting out the existing rules.
However, the current rules state that selections following boundary changes are only open to sitting MPs.However, the current rules state that selections following boundary changes are only open to sitting MPs.
Speaking afterwards, Mr Corbyn said the National Executive Committee was in charge of decisions about candidate selection.Speaking afterwards, Mr Corbyn said the National Executive Committee was in charge of decisions about candidate selection.
During his campaign launch speech, he said if he remains as leader it will be "the job, the duty, the responsibility" of every Labour MP to "get behind the party" and take on the Conservative government.
He also vowed to tackle the "five ills of 21st Century Britain" - inequality, neglect, prejudice, insecurity and discrimination - if elected as PM.
Who can vote in Labour leadership contest?Who can vote in Labour leadership contest?
Labour Party members, affiliated trade union supporters and so-called registered supporters are able to vote, although there are some key differences from the 2015 contest which Jeremy Corbyn won.Labour Party members, affiliated trade union supporters and so-called registered supporters are able to vote, although there are some key differences from the 2015 contest which Jeremy Corbyn won.
Guide to the Labour leadership electionGuide to the Labour leadership election