At his campaign launch, Corbyn told journalists that Smith had recently said he was “very happy” in the shadow cabinet – moments before he resigned as shadow work and pensions secretary.
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Following a speech in London, Corbyn said: ‘I say to Labour MPs quite simply this – I’ve been in Parliament a very long time.
Asked whether he supported the introduction of mandatory re-selection for Labour MPs, the party leader insisted planned boundary changes to parliamentary constituencies within the next four years would lead to a “full selection process” in every seat. “Jeremy does not support mandatory re-selection of MPs”.
“For us to nearly lose Blaenau Gwent, for us to lose the Rhondda, these were hammer blows to the Labour Party and that’s something Jeremy Corbyn needed to respond to, but he’s been poor at taking Labour’s case to the Tories in Westminster and he’s not been successful in going beyond slogans”.
Winterton later sent a message to all Labour’s MPs, stressing that she – not the leader – would be in charge of the process of managing the forthcoming boundary review.
Meanwhile he blamed Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for the party’s fall in support at the assembly election. “The rules are set by the NEC”.
Reynolds said Smith is an “exciting politician” and a “serious credible candidate” who could unite the party.
He said: “Jeremy Corbyn should be the Labour leader because he got a massive mandate past year – I don’t even think there should even be a challenge in the first place”.
“This party is going places”.
The MP has also had a brick thrown through a window in the building where her constituency office is based the day after she announced she would run for the party leadership, while the have been other reports of threats and intimidation – although these have been strongly disputed by senior members of the Wallasey CLP opposed to Ms Eagle.
Mr Corbyn’s anti-discrimination pledge comes less than 24 hours after the new Prime Minister Theresa May ridiculed him in the Commons after he tackled her on job insecurity and unscrupulous bosses.
He said it was “the duty and the responsibility of every Labour MP to get behind the party” and fight for “the different, fairer, kinder Britain that we can build together”.
“What is important at this stage is that we accept there is division”, she said.
“Because it is not only women who face workplace discrimination but disabled workers, the youngest and oldest workers, black and ethnic minority workers”, the Islington MP will say.
“I just hope – and I am sure he will – that Owen will come fully on board on the idea of our NHS being totally public”, Corbyn said.
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Some lawyers suggested the plan could potentially be illegal, because it would be possible to identify the individuals in question in small firms. Smith supporter Jenny Chapman said Corbyn’s stance was “unbelievable” and his account of what happened was “a complete lie”. They won them back-pay, but they also won them dignity and equality.
