Corbyn’s comments will serve as a warning to Labour rebels who will face a clear choice between backing the socialist leader or the moderate Labour MP Owen Smith.
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“Owen Smith was in the shadow cabinet until two weeks ago and he came to see me to say he was very happy in the shadow cabinet and wanted to stay there and then left the meeting and resigned which was a slightly odd thing to do”, said the Labour leader.
Critics of Mr Corbyn fear they could face the prospect of mandatory re-selection from their local parties to be allowed to stand again, and the leader confirmed that, because of the Government’s plans to cut the number of Commons seats, there would be a “full and open” process to choose candidates.
Mr Corbyn told Sky News that he was “very surprised and very disappointed” that Labour MPs should accuse him of bullying.
Mr Smith revealed that his mother was one of the party’s new registered supporters as he insisted they were not all going to back Mr Corbyn.
A source later said the suggestion had seemingly been made to Labour whips by one of Corbyn’s senior staff members, at the instigation of the Labour leader, rather than by Corbyn directly.
“I think we have done that spectacularly well – we now have the largest membership we’ve ever had”.
“Jeremy does not know my father so I can only presume that because of the much-publicised fact that my father was a Sinn Féin councillor, Jeremy felt that they would share a political affinity and was proposing to use that to ask my father to apply pressure on me”.
In a statement, he says: “I outlined my views on a range of issues, including the need for Labour to re-engage with our working class base”.
McGinn said he had experienced abuse and threats, including an incident in which some opponents got access to his shared office building and filmed themselves protesting outside his office door, also threatening to disrupt his surgeries.
“He has been stirring, he needs to be held to account”.
“I want someone who could mix the idealism that I am about with a serious practical approach that can gain the confidence of the people so Labour can form a government”.
“They are talking to me about future arrangements in terms of security”.
But Merseyside Police said the decision to cancel surgeries was a matter for the MP and her staff.
Ms Eagle’s Wallasey Constituency Labour Party has already been suspended over allegations of bullying. “I had a very long conversation with her and, of course, I apologised to her for that”. “I find it awesome if people think that isn’t happening”.
Corbyn, 67, launched his leadership campaign – styling himself as “the people’s voice” by rejecting criticism from his rivals that his leadership style was ineffective and that his policies weren’t strong enough to win a national election, due in 2020.
The 46-year-old Smith, who previous worked as a BBC producer and a lobbyist for pharmaceuticals giant Pfizer, has paid tribute to Corbyn for “helping Labour discover its radical roots” but said the party needed a new generation to take it forward.
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Answering questions afterwards, the Labour leader offered the “hand of friendship” to his rebellious MPs and suggested they had a “duty” and “responsibility” to unite behind the leader once the contest was over in September.
