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Miliband dismisses MP criticism claims as 'nonsense' Miliband dismisses MP criticism claims as 'nonsense'
(35 minutes later)
Ed Miliband has dismissed reports of unrest among Labour MPs over his leadership of the party as "nonsense".Ed Miliband has dismissed reports of unrest among Labour MPs over his leadership of the party as "nonsense".
Some backbenchers have told the chairman of the parliamentary party that he should stand down, sources say.Some backbenchers have told the chairman of the parliamentary party that he should stand down, sources say.
It is also understood his leadership was questioned at a meeting of Labour MPs from north-west England this week. It is understood his leadership was questioned at a meeting of Labour MPs from north-west England this week.
But, speaking on a visit to Northamptonshire, Mr Miliband said: "We remain focused on this country and how we can make this country work again."But, speaking on a visit to Northamptonshire, Mr Miliband said: "We remain focused on this country and how we can make this country work again."
He told the BBC: "I don't accept that this matter (concern over his leadership) arises."He told the BBC: "I don't accept that this matter (concern over his leadership) arises."
Sources say the MPs from north-west England discussed moving to a defensive strategy in a bid to hold on to their seats, rather than fight an offensive one aimed winning the election. Mr Miliband added: "Honestly, this is nonsense."
Sources say MPs from north-west England discussed moving to a defensive strategy in a bid to hold on to their seats, rather than fight an offensive one aimed winning the election.
'No distraction''No distraction'
One MP told the BBC's Ross Hawkins: "People were openly saying the leadership is failing this and we've got a problem winning seats in May."One MP told the BBC's Ross Hawkins: "People were openly saying the leadership is failing this and we've got a problem winning seats in May."
Another normally loyal backbencher said: "I think there's been a sharp downturn in mood over the last few days." There was a feeling, they added, that "we just can't go on like this". Another normally loyal backbencher said: "I think there's been a sharp downturn in mood over the last few days."
Analysis - BBC political correspondent Carole Walker
The mood among Labour MPs is grim indeed. "We can't just carry on like this", one former minister told me, though others believe it is unlikely there will be a serious attempt to unseat Ed Miliband before the election.
"There's no-one to ride to the rescue," another said, pointing out that former Home Secretary Alan Johnson was not willing to stand. Another said: "No-one would be stupid enough to move now."
But there is no disguising the scale of the concerns.
The complaints are many and varied. Some on the right of the party say their leader has no hope of appealing to Middle England; others on the left say he should abandon austerity and reverse coalition cuts.
There are complaints about Mr Miliband's office, described as "dysfunctional" and "remote from the real world". Some are concerned the party lacks pithy policies to sell on the doorstep.
For all the talk of possible leadership challenges, most are focusing their energies on the battle to hold on to their own seats.
The New Statesman magazine, which backed Mr Miliband's leadership campaign in 2010, published a critical article suggesting he "doesn't really understand the lower-middle class or material aspiration".The New Statesman magazine, which backed Mr Miliband's leadership campaign in 2010, published a critical article suggesting he "doesn't really understand the lower-middle class or material aspiration".
But shadow chancellor Ed Balls also dismissed reports of a plot to oust Mr Miliband, telling the BBC: "I think all this is nonsense, to be honest. I've no idea about any of this." But shadow chancellor Ed Balls dismissed reports of a plot to oust Mr Miliband, telling the BBC: "I think all this is nonsense, to be honest. I've no idea about any of this."
A Labour source said: "We have spent four years being united as a party in a determination to be a one-term opposition. We're not going to be distracted by noises-off now." The BBC has learned the leadership was discussed on Wednesday, at a regular social gathering of Labour MPs from the 2010 intake.
The BBC has learned there was a social gathering of Labour MPs from the 2010 intake on Wednesday at which the leadership was discussed, although the group gathers regularly. But critics and supporters of Mr Miliband alike said they had no knowledge of a letter being circulated by backbenchers aimed at removing him.
Critics and supporters of Miliband alike said they had no knowledge of a letter being circulated by backbenchers aimed at removing him.
One supportive shadow minister said: "I'm not aware of any letter and I'm not aware of any conspiracy." He dismissed the criticism of Miliband, blaming "serial dissenters".One supportive shadow minister said: "I'm not aware of any letter and I'm not aware of any conspiracy." He dismissed the criticism of Miliband, blaming "serial dissenters".
Mr Miliband completed a mini-reshuffle of his team on Wednesday, following the resignation of Jim Murphy as shadow international development secretary to run to be Labour's leader in Scotland.
He was replaced by transport spokeswoman Mary Creagh, who in turn was succeeded by Michael Dugher, a close ally of Mr Miliband.
In Parliament, House of Commons Leader William Hague said Mr Miliband had "had a reshuffle in order to forestall a coup" and suggested the party's election guru, David Axelrod, who helped Barack Obama win the US presidency, was "losing patience with them".