Multiple parliamentary sources say that Streatham MP Chuka Umunna plans to announce his resignation from the Labour party around 8pm this evening.
Labour sources are attributing the decision to the fact that Theresa May has suffered yet another huge parliamentary defeat. Mr Umunna was not reachable for comment.
Umunna’s flip-flops on a new referendum and controls on immigration are well known, yet it is likely that his departure – if it goes ahead – will be blamed on this and other areas in which he has an inconsistent history.
A number of mainstream journalists appear to have been briefed and are dropping hints about a big announcement at 8pm in spite of an apparent embargo.
Umunna earlier claimed that holding the party together and was the job of the leadership.
Update 8.04pm: Chuka Umunna has now denied the reports, according to the BBC’s Iain Watson. Of course, he may not have intended to resign but a #ChickenChuka hashtag has already begun circulating on social media.
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