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Unite boss warns Labour MPs who are disloyal to Jeremy Corbyn are risking 'civil war'

Steve Turner says MPs who refuse to support the leader should 'take a reality check' or be held accountable to their constituencies

Steve Turner, Unite's national officer for aviation, talking to media after the meeting 19 Mar 2010
Steve Turner, UNITE assistant general secretary, urged Labour MP's to fall in line behind Jeremy Corbyn Credit: Photo: Rex

Labour MPs who criticise Jeremy Corbyn will face "civil war" from their constituents unless they fall into line, Britain's biggest union has warned.

"It is clear that any Labour MP who prefers to disrupt our own side than take the fight to the Tories is neither use nor ornament. Presumably they can’t object to justifying themselves to those who work so hard to return them to parliament"
Steve Turner, Unite

Steve Turner, assistant general secretary of Unite the union, questioned how much longer "hundreds of thousands" of Mr Corbyn's supporters will "tolerate continual overt contempt for the elected leader and sabotage of the new course they have voted for".

Writing after former London Mayor Ken Livingstone demanded MPs Simon Danczuk and Frank Field be deselected, the union boss also accused the member for Rochdale of an "abusive running commentary" which is damaging the party.

His comments come after a group of moderate Labour MPs admitted to mounting a calculated effort to win seats on Labour policy groups and select committees in a bid to oust Mr Corbyn.

In response Mr Turner warned: "It is time for those MPs engaging in this plotting and manoeuvring to take a reality check: More than a quarter of a million Labour members and supporters voted for Jeremy Corbyn as leader."

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His comments echo those of a senior ally of Mr Corbyn and a shadow cabinet member who told The Daily Telegraph that plotting behind the leader's back is a "disgrace" and demanded the MPs "move on or move out".

Mr Turner said he does not support mandatory reselection of MPs, but he added: "The alternative to common sense and a degree of self-control is civil war.

"It is clear that any Labour MP who prefers to disrupt our own side than take the fight to the Tories is neither use nor ornament.

"Presumably they can’t object to justifying themselves to those who work so hard to return them to parliament."

It came as Labour MP John Spellar complained that Andrew Fisher, Mr Corbyn's top policy aide who was last week suspended by party officials, is still working for the leader despite disciplinary action against him.

The MP demanded an explanation from Mr Corbyn during a party meeting on Monday night.