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A defiant Jeremy Corbyn has addressed huge crowds of supporters outside Parliament this evening after a "catastrophic meeting with his MPs".

Mr Corbyn has seen two-thirds of his shadow cabinet resign in the last 48-hours in an open revolt against him following the EU referendum result.

Thousands of people had signalled their intention to join the gathering in Parliament Square today, which began at 6pm and was organised by Labour group Momentum.

It came as Jeremy Corbyn faced a "hostile" meeting with Labour MPs and peers who told him he must quit for the sake of the party.

Many MPs appeared close to tears after a volatile meeting that former leadership contender Chuka Umunna described as "pretty catastrophic".

Despite the "overwhelming" criticism from across the parliamentary party, Mr Corbyn's aides insisted the Labour leader would not be quitting.

It was claimed by organisers around 10,000 people had turned up to this evening's rally, some holding up banners with slogans branding Corbyn's enemies "red Tories".

Another person held up a photo of Hilary Benn, whose sacking sparked the rebellion, with the phrase "chat s*** get sacked".

At one point, protesters joined in with the chant: "Blairites out, Corbyn in."

After the parliamentary meeting, Jeremy Corbyn told supporters: "We don't need the blame culture we need the unite culture of working together for the social justice to which we all aspire."

Speaking from the top of a fire engine Mr Corbyn said: "Don't let the media divide us. Don't let the people who wish us ill divide us.

"Stay together, strong and united for the kind of world we want to live in."

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell also went out to address the crowds and was greeted by huge cheers.

He told them: "Jeremy Corbyn was elected only nine months ago on the biggest mandate that any political leader has had from the rank and file of the membership of their party.

"The biggest. We call that democracy."

He said: "What we've seen over the last few days is a small number of MPs seeking to undermine the democratic decisions of the Labour Party members and the Labour and trade union movement.

"Let me make it absolutely clear. Jeremy Corbyn is not resigning, he's staying."

He added: "If there's a leadership election, Jeremy Corbyn will be standing again and I will be supporting him."

Among those spotted in the crowd were Mr Corbyn's wife Laura Alvarez, who had come along to support her husband.

A message on the event's Facebook page ahead of tonight's rally said: "The future is uncertain. We face a Tory Brexit, Cameron has resigned and we are likely to have a general election in the coming months with the potential of Britain lurching yet further to the right.

"A small number of Labour MPs are using this as an opportunity to oust Jeremy, disrespect the Labour membership who elected him and disregard our movement for a new kind of politics.

"We cannot let this undemocratic behaviour succeed."

This page is being updated.