She said: “I cannot see how Corbyn can stay as Labour leader when we failed to convince the public to Remain”.
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“In the interests of the Labour party”, she said, “it’s now incumbent upon him to recognise that and resign and let the party pick another leader who can take us forward in the tumultuous time that we’re in and try to defend the communities that we all came into politics to look after”.
About 180,000 people have signed an online petition backing the Labour leader, who was elected last September in a landslide victory.
There were calls today for Black Country MP Tom Watson to take over as acting Labour leader.
Angela Eagle MP was one of the most senior figures in Jeremy Corbyn’s cabinet until she resigned on Monday morning.
Mr Corbyn insists he will not resign and will contest any leadership fight forced by his colleagues.
New research from the IPPR think tank shows that the poorest families will be hit twice as hard by new inflation caused by sterling’s slide as the richest-many living in areas that voted overwhelmingly to leave.
The resignation letter said: “The lack of confidence in the leadership goes beyond the small group of MPs who have consistently opposed Jeremy since his election”.
The latest frontbench resignations came today, by shadow business secretary Angela Eagle, Maria Eagle (defence) Lisa Nandy (energy), Owen Smith (work and pensions), shadow foreign minister Diana Johnson, shadow civil society minister Anna Turley, shadow defence minister Toby Perkins and Wayne David, shadow Cabinet Office, Scotland and justice minister.
Earlier, Mr Watson held crisis talks with the leader and warned him he was likely to face a challenge to his position after losing the support of the parliamentary party.
In the last 24 hours, 20 members of the shadow cabinet have resigned with two further members stating they will not serve under him.
She said: “He needs to realise that he can’t lead us into a General Election”.
Responding to the accusation loyal backers had betrayed Mr Corbyn, Ms Eagle said: “I haven’t stabbed him at all”.
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Following the fall-out from the Remain campaign’s defeat in the European Union referendum, some Labour Party MPs and members have criticised Mr Corbyn.
