Kerry McCarthy, MP for Bristol East, was at the former shadow work and pensions secretary campaign launch on the weekend and confirmed that she believes Mr Smith has the ability to connect with people beyond those who “already agree with him”.
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Corbyn said Smith would be “very welcome” after the leadership election to rejoin the Shadow Cabinet, which he quit in the wake of the European Union referendum in June.
The leader said he is “disappointed” by the claims and said: “I don’t do any abuse, I don’t do any bullying”.
“Of course he’s very welcome to come back and I hope he would”.
Corbyn’s only challenger for the leadership, lawmaker Owen Smith, told the Guardian newspaper he was “furious” at what he said was the Labour leader’s inability to fight the Conservative government.
After announcing her leadership challenge, Ms Eagle faced a backlash from Mr Corbyn’s supporters and moves for deselection by her constituency party.
“It was evident they were not happy with Jeremy’s response and proposals”.
Because of the rise of Corbyn supporters among the membership, they face the threat of being replaced with more Left-wing Labour candidates.
In his formal leadership speech, Corbyn took inspiration from social reformer William Beveridge and argued the Labour Party must confront “five evils” plaguing society.
Speaking in Manchester on his first campaign visit today, Mr Smith was set to say: “The Labour Party is Britain’s greatest force for social justice, but we could be consigned to history if we continue along this path to a disastrous split”.
“During this time I have found Jeremy to be a truly decent and honest man. I voted against the “motion of no confidence” in Jeremy because there is no provision for “a motion of no confidence” within party rules. And I think that means that Labour has to be a credible party of government”.
“This party is capable of winning a general election and if I am leader of the party I will be that prime minister”, Corbyn said passionately, banging his fist.
“We have seen intolerance in the party, abuse in the Labour party that we have never seen before”.
Ms Eagle told the Daily Telegraph: “I think he (Mr Corbyn) has contributed to this. Some of our Jewish MPs have been subject to anti-Semitic abuse and some of our Asian MPs have been subjected to abuse”.
The MP says he then texted the Labour leader to make clear no offence was intended and reiterate that their friendship was important to him and asking for a meeting.
Mr Corbyn’s lawyers argued that his personal interest in the litigation was “pressing and obvious” and distinguished him from the general body of members represented by Mr McNicol.
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Jeremy Corbyn’s attempt to strike a contrast between his beliefs and those of his Labour leadership rival Owen Smith would have rather big implications or medical research in this country.
