MP Frank Field won't call for a by-election despite leaving the Labour party but is still praised by Birkenhead constituency

In a direct challenge to Jeremy Corbyn, the veteran MP said he had received widespread support from residents in his Birkenhead constituency since resigning the Labour whip last week.

And he vowed to continue to serve them until the next Election.

In a statement, he said: “All of these people, and practically all of the local residents who have contacted me in recent days, have stressed that I should simply get on with the job of representing Birkenhead. “Therefore, I will not be calling a by-election.”

Mr Field, 76, also reiterated his promise to take Labour to court if it carried through with a threat to expel him from the party.

He quit the Labour whip last week in protest at the “culture of intolerance, nastiness and intimidation” under Jeremy Corbyn and vowed to sit as an independent.

The MP has been in Parliament since 1979 and retook Birkenhead in last year’s snap General Election with a 25,514 majority – taking over three-quarters of the vote in the constituency.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn yesterday said he was “sorry” about Mr Field’s resignation last week. Speaking before the MP’s statement, he indicated that a by-election would be the ideal next step.

He said: “I’m sorry he’s resigned and I thank him for all the work that he’s done as an MP and for the party, but I don’t see why he had to resign.”

Asked about Mr Field’s claims of bullying, Mr Corbyn said: “I’d have to see the claims.

"Obviously bullying and intimidation is totally unacceptable in the Labour Party in any form. Debate, of course, discussion, of course.”


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