Jeremy Corbyn sacks two senior figures but Hilary Benn stays

Mr Jones, Jonathan Reynolds and Stephen Doughty quit within the space of 90 minutes, citing differences with their leader on key policy issues and the treatment of their colleagues.

The reshuffle risks deepening rifts in the party and some Labour MPs have been keen to point out that Corbyn began his leadership promising to allow members of his shadow cabinet to express differing views.

Labour announced that former junior education spokeswoman Pat Glass would replace Europe shadow secretary Pat McFadden, while Emily Thornberry would replace Maria Eagle as defense spokeswoman.

Corbyn fired the Europe minister, Pat McFadden, for being disloyal, McFadden said, when in the aftermath of the November terrorist attacks in Paris he said those who insisted that Western societies, not the terrorists themselves, were to blame.

Another Corbyn critic, Hilary Benn, held on to his position as shadow foreign secretary, despite repeatedly clashing with the Labour leader in recent months.

In a letter to Mr Corbyn posted on his Facebook page, the MP said he believed his election as leader was a “catalyst for the Labour Party to have a wide debate about its future and policy positions”.

But Mr Reynolds said that while he backed Jeremy Corbyn’s stance on Syrian airstrikes, he could not “in good conscience endorse the views of Stop the War”.

“I haven’t been muzzled”, Benn said in remarks that were at odds with statements made by the leadership, which claimed that Benn had agreed to act collectively with Corbyn at all times.

“Because if you move someone from department A to department B, that creates a vacancy in A, which you might need to fill with somebody from C, that then creates a vacancy in E, and by the way somebody in group G is very upset with the job they’ve got and wants to move somewhere else”, added Mr Corbyn.

Jeremy Corbyn has told how he will keep a closer grip on his foreign affairs team after leaving Hilary Benn in post in the so-called revenge reshuffle.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “He said he felt it was an attack on him and that he had come to the conclusion because of that and one or two other things that I shouldn’t continue”.

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

“We are confident that when the economic, security and other factors are taken into consideration, that a new policy will be decided that responds to the needs of the 21st century”. The CSU conference visit forms parts of these continuing talks – with politicians on both the left and right in Germany showing some support for his more controversial proposals, especially a bid to limit access to state welfare for European Union migrants in a new country.

He said he received a number of “nice texts” from people who were pleased with changes to their role.

“I have just written to Jeremy to resign”.

“My great failing in life is to listen to everybody at whatever great length they wish to speak to me”.