Ian Murray has been a “constant critic” of the Labour leader, said the Unite union chief

Len McCluskey says the actions of Ian Murray in criticising the Labour leadership “had to be called out” after an attempt by his union to unseat the Scottish MP.

Unite triggered a selection ballot in his Edinburgh South constituency but failed by 158 votes 13.

Mr McCluskey said the contest had come about because of the Edinburgh MP’s criticism of Jeremy Corbyn, as well as attacks on Unite and his resignation as shadow Scottish secretary.

The Unite general secretary said that his members saw the actions of Mr Murray as “contemptuous”. Mr McCluskey insisted that the union knew it would not manage to unseat the MP, who boasts a majority of 15,514.

He said: “We knew full well there was no chance of unseating