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A North Labour MP has told colleagues attacking leader Jeremy Corbyn to “pipe down” as the party has a massive opportunity to exploit Tory divisions.

Ian Mearns, who represents Gateshead , was speaking as Mr Corbyn faced growing calls to quit for what some said was his “lacklustre” performance in the EU referendum campaign.

Labour MPs Dame Margaret Hodge and Ann Coffey have submitted a motion of no confidence in their leader for failing to give party voters a clear message on the EU referendum .

Mr Mearns said: “It’s only eight months since we elected Jeremy Corbyn as leader and if they wanted a civil war in the party they are going about it the right way.

“The referendum on the EU has been won by Leave, the people have spoken.

“There is now a change of Prime Minister in the offing and undoubtedly a change in Chancellor of the Exchequer (George Osborne).

“There is going to be period of turmoil so we have a significant period of political opportunity with the government in disarray.”

Meanwhile Labour’s Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah offered her support to Mr Corbyn who she said will be speaking to parliamentary members on Monday.

Ms Onwurah said she hoped he would outline how the party would reconnect with its traditional supporters who voted for Brexit.

She said: “Jeremy is an excellent leader. He is sincere and authentic and many also think he’s the most honest politician.”

However she acknowledged that there were shortcomings in Labour’s campaign.

“We need to learn a lesson in terms of reflecting and engaging and speaking to working class people which I don’t think our campaign did,” she said.

“It is telling that Bullingdon Boy Boris Johnson managed to be more convincing to many Labour voters that the Labour party. We’ve got to recognise that and we’ve got to respond.”

She added: “A lot of people if immigrant heritage including myself are not feeling welcome in Britain today. We’ve got to make that we address that, that we reassure them in the North East and Newcastle.”

Both Mr Mearns and Ms Onwurah expressed concern that with the UK heading out of the EU, European grants and funding which had underpinned much development in the North East was going to be lost.

“We will be relying on funding from London and Boris Johnson which isn’t very reassuring,” said Ms Onwurah.

Despite his support in this region, it could be a rocky few days ahead for Mr Corbyn.

Although the no confidence motion has no formal status, backers hope it will help build a sense that confidence in the leader is draining away, forcing him to resign before a likely autumn general election.

Dame Margaret emphasised that under PLP rules it would be a secret ballot for her no confidence motion, in the hope that MPs would be emboldened to move against Mr Corbyn without the fear of a backlash from his grassroots supporters in the Momentum campaign group.

Mr Corbyn insisted he would run again if forced into a crisis leadership election which would be decided by grassroots members.

Asked if he would stand in such circumstances, he said: “Yes, I’m here, thank you.”