Angela Eagle says to Jeremy Corbyn she will challenge him for the Labour leadership if he ‘doesn’t take action soon’
Former shadow cabinet minister gave her clearest threat she was ready to trigger a leadership contest
ANGELA Eagle says she “has the support” to take on Jeremy Corbyn and will challenge the Labour leader if he “doesn’t take action soon”.
The former shadow cabinet minister gave her clearest message she was ready to trigger a leadership contest with her comments this morning.
Speaking outside her house, Ms Eagle said : "I have the support to run and resolve this impasse and I will do so if Jeremy doesn't take action soon."
Mr Corbyn is clinging on to his position despite an overwhelming vote of no confidence in him from his own MPs a week ago today.
A total of 80% of his own MPs called for him to step down and two-thirds of the shadow cabinet quit their roles to try and force him to go.
A challenger failed to emerge to take him on however, and the veteran leftie held on to his parlous position over the weekend.
But in a clear sign the plan to remove him is back on, Ms Eagle issued her threat to act if he fails to do so.
She said Mr Corbyn was "not properly engaged - with even the deputy leader of the party".
"There are many people - MPs, party members up and down the country, asking me to resolve this impasse", Ms Eagle told Sky News.
“And I will unless something isn’t done soon.”
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Ms Eagle's comments came after shadow chancellor John McDonnell - a Corbyn ally - appealed for calm in the Labour ranks.
The Shadow Chancellor told Good Morning Britain: "Now is the time to sort of calm down, everyone calm down.
"Since the referendum there's sort of been mass hysteria in virtually all our political parties and I can't completely understand it.
"I've never seen anything like it, allegations being made, claims being made. Untruths being said."
He denied claims in a tweet posted by Labour MP Mike Gapes last night saying a deal was being struck for Mr Corbyn to stand down in return Mr McDonnell being put on the ballot paper.
He said: "That has never been discussed. Last week I was accused of a coup against Jeremy myself. This week I was accused of forcing him to stay in.
“It gets ridiculous."
Mr Corbyn will be questioned by MPs later today over anti-Semitism in the Labour Party after stoking controversy at the launch of a report into the issue last week.