Why did Frank Field resign, when did he become a Labour MP and what did he say in his resignation letter?
LABOUR MP Frank Field has resigned the party’s whip as it continues to be embroiled in an anti-Semitism row.
Here’s what we know so far following the veteran MP's shock decision to quit the party.
Why has Frank Field resigned?
Frank Field resigned on August 30, 2018, in protest at Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership amid the on-going anti-Semitism row.
The Labour veteran quit saying the party’s leadership has become “a force for anti-Semitism in British politics”.
The Birkenhead MP also blamed a "culture of intolerance, nastiness and intimidation" in local parties.
He will continue to sit in Parliament as an independent MP.
What did he say in his resignation letter?
The 76-year-old’s resignation letter attacks hard-left party leader Jeremy Corbyn over the anti-Semitism crisis.
In his resignation letter, he said Labour is now "a force for anti-Semitism in British politics" because the party leader has not cracked down on anti-Jewish bigotry.
He added: "It saddens me to say that we are increasingly seen as a racist party. This issue alone compels me to resign the whip."
But he also pointed to "a culture of intolerance, nastiness and intimidation" which now dominates Labour thanks to the infiltration of the far left.
He concluded: "I intend to continue to represent Birkenhead in Westminster, as I have had the honour to do so for almost 40 years, and I will continue to do so as an Independent Labour Member.
"I shall of course remain a Party member as I have been since 1960.
"The values I have espoused during this time will be same that will continue to govern my conduct and I also intend, providence willing, to represent those views when the next election is called."
Jeremy Corbyn's deputy Tom Watson warned that Mr Field’s departure is "a major wake-up call" and a "serious loss", adding: "We cannot afford to lose people of such weight and stature."
Mr Field is one of Labour's few pro-Brexit MPs and has long been respected for his independence and willingness to cross party lines.
After sensationally quitting his role, he told The Sun: "I’m hoping that this action will lead to the Labour party again becoming the most prominent party against racism. Until then, I am resigning the whip."
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When did Frank Field become a Labour MP?
Born in 1942, Frank Field has been the Member of Parliament for Birkenhead since 1979.
In his youth, he was a member of the Conservative Party but was made to leave in 1960 because of his opposition to South Africa's apartheid system.
That same year he joined the Labour Party and has been loyal to the party ever since.
Field's political stance has been somewhat at odds with the rest of the Parliamentary Labour Party in recent years, embracing more social conservative ideas.
