Wigan MP's dismay at Labour Party split

Ms Nandy took to Twitter with a simple message after seven MPs decided to leave the party led by Jeremy Corbyn to sit independently in the House of Commons on Monday morning.

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She wrote: "This is an awful day for the Labour Party and everyone who needs us."

The defectors - Luciana Berger, Chuka Umunna, Gavin Shuker, Chris Leslie, Angela Smith, Mike Gapes and Ann Coffey - announced their departure to become The Independent Group.

They cited unhappiness with Mr Corbyn's leadership, Labour policy on Brexit and the party's issues with anti-semitism as reasons for their move in a press conference.

The new group faced an immediate storm of criticism after saying they would not call by-elections in their constituencies.

It is not yet a formal political party, meaning the seven MPs will sit as an aligned group of independents.