Jeremy Corbyn hits back as MPs seek to oust him

Labour MPs will today vote on a motion of no confidence in leader Jeremy Corbyn, as the party at Westminster continued to be gripped by a shadow cabinet walkout.  

However, Corbyn told supporters at a mass rally outside Westminster to not "let those people who wish us ill divide us".

Shadow justice minister Andy Slaughter is the latest to leave his post, after a spate of resignations from the shadow cabinet.

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But shadow chancellor John McDonnell said Corbyn was "not going anywhere" and would not cave in to pressure on him to quit from Labour MPs, who are unhappy about his handling of the EU referendum and say he is on course for an election defeat.

McDonnell accused Corbyn's opponents of trying to "subvert democracy", and said the party leader would stand in any election if a challenger came forward.

The no-confidence vote being held by Labour MPs today is not binding and will not automatically force Corbyn out.

Corbyn faced calls to resign from Labour MPs at a meeting in the House of Commons yesterday after more than 20 members of his shadow cabinet and a similar number of junior ministers walked out, questioning his performance during the EU referendum and ability to lead the party.

However, Corbyn who was overwhelmingly elected as Labour leader last September by party members, rallied his supporters at last night’s demonstration outside parliament. 

Corbyn said: “"Don't let the media divide us; don't let those people who wish us ill divide us," he said. "Stay together, strong and united, for the kind of world we want to live in."

Speaking at the same event, Mr McDonnell accused a "handful of MPs" of trying to "subvert" the party and challenged them to put up or shut up.

"The reason for this is that this is not about one individual. This is about the democracy of the (Labour) movement."