Jeremy Corbyn was today pressing Labour’s ruling body to allow him on to the ballot paper for the party leadership without first winning the endorsement of MPs, as Angela Eagle led a Westminster revolt against him.

Ms Eagle formally submitted her nomination papers, triggering a leadership election, after she toured broadcasting studios yesterday, stressing her superior leadership skills to Mr Corbyn.

At a speech in Westminster, Ms Eagle, who tearfully resigned as shadow business secretary two weeks ago, said she was “ready to lead”.

However, her campaign launch descended into farce as it emerged, just before she took to the stage, that Andrea Leadsom was about to drop out of the Conservative leadership contest, paving the way for Theresa May to become prime minister.

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