Senior Labour MP ready to quit over Corbyn’s stance on anti-Semitism and Russia
Outspoken backbencher John Woodcock has told pals he is at breaking point after clashing with the Labour leader in the Commons
A SENIOR Labour MP admitted he was considering quitting the party last night in protest at Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership.
Outspoken backbencher John Woodcock has told pals he is at breaking point over the leader’s stance on anti-Semitism, Russia and other internal issues.
It comes amid rumours of Labour moderates plotting a breakaway political party.
Tensions have been mounting since Mr Woodcock’s stunning intervention of Jeremy Corbyn this week after he boasted of being a critic of Russia for 20 years during a Commons update on the Salisbuty attack.
The Barrow MP interrupted his own party boss hitting out that his claim was “just not true”.
He even read back supportive quotes the lefty Labour chief had written about Russia in his column in the communist Morning Star newspaper.
His intervention sparked uproar as Tory MPs roared in delight and Corbynista loyalists vented their fury at the outspoken moderate.
Hard-left Corbyn supporter Chris Williamson lambasted his Labour colleague and appeared to hint Mr Woodcock should cross the floor and sit with the Tories.
Mr Woodcock also received abuse for attending the Jewish demo on Monday against anti-Semitism in the party.
He also recently launched an outspoken attack on changes to internal Labour rules.
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If he did quit the party it’s thought he would stay on as an independent MP - but would not join the Conservatives.
Mr Woodcock said: “The last few weeks in particular have been pretty awful but any suggestion that I have made up my mind to leave is not true and not helpful to have it played out in public.
“My loyalty is to my constituents and local party members and anything I say in future will be to them first.”