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He quit Labour 24 hours ago with a furious swipe at Jeremy Corbyn's approach to Brexit.

But today Chuka Umunna came unstuck over a surprising question - what other Labour policy he actually disagrees with.

The new Independent Group MP was asked on live radio which item from Labour's 2017 manifesto, apart from Brexit, he would disavow.

Earlier this morning he'd claimed he'd like a full-blown centrist political party to be up and running by the end of the year.

Yet despite his ambitious pledge, there was a brief awkward silence at the manifesto question - before the ardent Remainer immediately went back to talking about Brexit.

(Image: S Meddle/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Mr Umunna, one of 7 Labour MPs to resign the party membership yesterday, eventually got to "national security" and Mr Corbyn "putting faith" in the Russian government.

But he did not quite manage to name any policy in the 2017 Labour manifesto.

BBC presenter Nick Robinson snapped that his excuses were simply an "elegant way of saying you don't like Jeremy Corbyn ".

Mr Umunna faced the question as he was quizzed by BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Asked what part of the manifesto apart from Brexit he would disavow, he said: "Well Brexit is the biggest issue since the Second World War."

Facing protests from the presenter he continued: "Hang on just a minute... Let me... Let me... let me answer the question.

(Image: Getty Images)

"On Brexit actually with a group of other colleagues, including those who are now part of the independent group, we put out an alternative Brexit prospectus during that election so people knew we were standing on something different.

"On national security, we're absolutely clear we would do what's necessary to safeguard our national security.

"But it's more than that. We will not accept the narratives of states hostile to the UK.

"You wouldn't for example get people in our group choosing to put their faith in narratives put out by the Russian government as opposed to our police and security officials and intelligence services on an issue like the Skripal case."

Asked what will be left to stand for if Brexit is stopped, Mr Umunna said: "Well this goes far greater than Jeremy Corbyn, it goes to the culture of the party.

"We've only just left the Labour Party.... going straight to setting up a brand new party and political movement on Day 2 wouldn't be wise."

It comes after Jeremy Corbyn said he was "disappointed" the splitter MPs had abandoned policies "that inspired millions at the last election and saw us increase our vote by the largest share since 1945."

(Image: X03696)

Yesterday Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell led calls for the 'gang of seven' to resign their seats and fight for a new mandate in a by-election.

But Mr Umunna risked anger today by rebuffing the calls, saying a string of by-elections would not be "justified" and were "not what people want".

And the group has had a highly rocky start to its political life.

It was hit by a race row within hours after Angela Smith, one of the seven MPs, was forced to apologise for using the phrase "funny tinge" when referring to people's skin colour.

Meanwhile the new group's only legal basis is an opaque company called Gemini A Ltd based above a Wetherspoons called The Unicorn.

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The Electoral Commission watchdog has contacted the group after concerns were raised that Gemini A would not have to declare its private donors.

Donors will be declared if and when the Independent Group registers as a political party - but currently it has not done that.

Asked when the group of MPs could evolve into a new centre party with a name and more members, Mr Umunna told ITV's Good Morning Britain: "I would like to see us move as quickly as possible and certainly by the end of the year, but that's my personal view."