Labour rocked by mass resignations

The Labour Party has been rocked by a number of shock resignations today but shadow housing and planning minister John Healey MP remains - for now.

The Labour Party has been rocked by a number of shock resignations today but shadow housing and planning ministerJohn Healey MP remains - for now.

Following the sacking of shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn last night a number of politicians have decided to leave their rolesciting a lack of faith in Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's ability to challenge the government.

Corbyn has been dogged by claims that his performance in the build up to the EU Referendum had been lacklustre and that he will be unable to challenge the government as it looks to negotiate its exit from the Union.

At the time of writing sevenLabour shadow cabinet members have quit and more resignations are expected.

Heidi Alexander, Ian Murray, Gloria de Piero, Lillian Greenwood, Lucy Powell and Kerry McCarthy and Seema Malhotra have all resigned.

Shadow defence secretary Vernon Coaker has also said he is considering his position.

Corbyn now faces a vote of no confidence which could leave both the opposition and the government in the midst of leadership challenges following David Cameron's decision to quit as Prime Minister on Friday.

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Benn praisedCorbyn but said that whilst he"is a good and decent man, he is not a leader".

He added: "At this absolutely critical time for our country following the EU referendum result, the Labour Party needs strong and effective leadership to hold the government to account.

"We don't currently have that and there is also no confidence we would be able to win a general election as long as Jeremy remains leader. And I felt it was important to say that."

Benn also confirmed to Marr that he would not be seeking his the leadership of the Labour Party should Corbyn be ousted.