Labour MP quits front bench over Jeremy Corbyn ‘revenge reshuffle’

She was forced to resign from her party’s frontbench a year ago after she appeared to make fun of white van drivers, something she has always denied.

“Both Maria and myself were appointed when Jeremy was elected”.

The changes mean Labour’s upcoming policy review on nuclear weapons is far more likely to conclude in favour of scrapping them.

Mr McFadden said he agreed to stay on the front bench when Mr Corbyn became leader because he believed the upcoming referendum on Britain’s relationship with Europe was of “huge importance”.

He added: “I have enjoyed the role a great deal and particularly the discussions I have had with you personally”.

Sky’s Senior Political Correspondent Sophy Ridge said: “I understand the reshuffle is not quite over yet and Mr Corbyn will be making some changes to his junior frontbench team”. “So did Tom Watson”.

A number of senior party figures expressed their dismay at the announcement in a sign of the deep divisions within Labour.

Europe shadow secretary Pat McFadden said he had been sacked in part because of comments he made in parliament seemingly at odds with statements Corbyn had made on the causes of terrorism.

McFadden, a Blairite loyalist, made comments about a rapidly withdrawn Stop the War Coalition blog claiming the attacks which killed 130 people were a case of the West “reaping the whirlwind” of foreign wars.

Maria Eagle (left) was shifted from shadow defence secretary to replace Michael Dugher, having been seen as blocking Mr Corbyn’s desire to oppose renewal of the UK’s nuclear deterrent.

Prolonged talks between Mr Corbyn and Hilary Benn led to the Leeds Central MP retaining his post as Shadow Foreign Secretary.

“I have not been muzzled”.

Mr Benn said he was “r eally sad to lose” Mr Doughty from the front bench, adding he would “miss his wisdom, insight and comradeship”.

He said national security should transcend “personal score-settling”.

Shadow foreign affairs minister Stephen Doughty was the second politician to resign on Wednesday and return to the backbenches.

Corbyn had been under pressure by his allies to take control of Labour, which has struggled to challenge the ruling Conservatives.

He said the biggest casualty in the reshuffle had been the “new politics”, and despite promises from the leader that there would be room for a little dissent, “the truth is that’s just not transpired”.

“He has recognised the mandate that Jeremy Corbyn has with our members, an overwhelming mandate, and he’ll recognise his leadership on this issue”.

Mr Livingstone told BBC Radio London’s Vanessa Feltz: “If you look back at all Jeremy’s rebellions over the years, they were on policy issues.

I know he will continue to campaign hard for the party he loves”.

“I am no longer convinced that that’s what they want to do”.

More resignations could follow as Labour struggles to remain united.

“But we have to try to move on from this”.

Another member of the Shadow Cabinet said this morning that their aim to was to force Jeremy Corbyn to keep Mr Benn in his post and Rosie Winterton as chief whip.

Revealing his sacking on Twitter, he updated his social media profile to mock the party leader. “It is split from top to bottom”.

Quitting as a shadow defence minister, Kevan Jones claimed that Ms Eagle had been moved against her will despite briefings that her new role was her “dream”. I tried to do my best in delivering some straight-talking and honest politics and I think it was a little too much for him’.

“I have a regiment in my constituency”.