Labour MP Chris Leslie accused of 'disloyalty and deceit' as he loses no-confidence vote from local party

Several MPs rallied around the former shadow chancellor, describing the move as a 'purge'

Chris Leslie (Rex)

Former shadow chancellor Chris Leslie has become the latest Labour MP to suffer a vote of no confidence from his local party.

Labour members backed the motion brought by the Mapperley branch of his Nottingham East constituency, which said his "disloyalty and deceit" was damaging Labour's electoral chances.

Copies of the no-confidence motion circulated on social media revealed fury at Mr Leslie's "repeated attempts to undermine the leadership" and claims his behaviour was "incompatible" with his role as MP.

However several MPs condemned the move, describing it as a "purge" of politicians who disagreed with Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader.

Speaking after the vote, Mr Leslie told The Independent: "If the party pushes away people like me on the centre left for voicing different opinions to the leadership, then that says more about the direction of Labour than it does about me.

"I'm not going to stop speaking up for all my constituents when there are so many massively important challenges, especially the threat of a disastrous Brexit."

He becomes the fifth MP to lose a no-confidence vote in recent months, with similar action taken against Labour Brexiteers Frank Field and Kate Hoey.

Another Eurosceptic MP, Graham Stringer, emerged unscathed from the challenge, which came after he voted with the government on a key piece of Brexit legislation.

Enfield North MP Joan Ryan, who chairs the Labour Friends of Israel group, and Gavin Shuker, MP for Luton South, also lost no-confidence votes.

Ms Ryan was quick to support the Labour MP, posting on Twitter: "Disgrace that Chris Leslie is next victim of purge with no confidence motion.

"He is a brilliant MP [and] has been key to opposing damaging Brexit and pursuing People's Vote.

"We certainly have confidence in him in PLP!"

Pro-EU MP Chuka Umunna quoted from Mr Corbyn's conference speech last week, where the Labour leader said: “Real unity is based on the freedom to disagree and debate...

“So we need to foster a much greater culture of tolerance... We must learn to listen a bit more, and shout a lot less. To focus on what unites us.”

Mr Umunna added: "Not sure everyone got the memo, so to speak."

Siobhain McDonagh, MP for Mitcham and Morden, said on social media: "Really sad to hear. Chris Leslie has been an anti-Brexit warrior for Labour & the whole country.

"We will look back & be so grateful for all his work."

No-confidence votes carry no official weight in the Labour party but local members can hold a "trigger ballot" for an open selection process ahead of the next general election.