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A Labour MP has threatened to resign and join the Independent Group if Jeremy Corbyn does not act to reassure MPs.

Siobhain McDonagh said she is “not as yet” at the point of quitting - but warned “it’s the job of Jeremy” to determine what happens next.

The 59-year-old MP - who has represented Mitcham and Morden in south London since 1997 - spoke out after speculation she could join the 'gang of eight' MPs who've left the Labour Party this week.

Speaking after Joan Ryan became the eighth MP to quit, she told the Mirror: “Joan Ryan is my very best friend in Parliament. I love her. She is Labour to her core, and why I am Labour to mine.

"I completely understand why she has left - but I am not as yet there.

"I think the gauntlet rests with Jeremy Corbyn.

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

"What is he going to do? What does he see as the future of the Labour Party? As a hard left rump that gets some MPs in Parliament but never becomes a government? Or a wide, inclusive, broad coalition that wants the best for this country, which is what Labour is?”

Asked if she was still thinking about jumping ship, she replied: “I never stop thinking. I love the Labour Party, I love my constituents and I love my country and all the time I think, how am I best going to serve them?

"And is it in a Labour Party that is inclusive, non racist, and in favour of aspiration and hard work, or isn’t it?

"It’s the job of Jeremy to say to all those who currently stand as Labour MPs, what is his direction to the Labour Party?”

She called on Mr Corbyn to “deal with anti-Semitism, to root out all people - no matter how close to him and I think that is the issue - who are anti-Semitic, who indulge in anti-Jewish racism.

"He would have to put them out of the Labour Party.”

(Image: PA)

She also demanded he “stop the harassment” of Labour MPs and "acknowledge" publicly that MPs with opposing views should not be "deselected" or "harassed".

She added: "It's my birthday today, I'm 59 today. I joined the Labour Party when I was 16. I have been a member for 43 years.

"I don't want to leave Labour. I don't want to not be the MP for Mitcham and Morden. And I am desperate that that's where we are."

The Labour leader's office has been contacted for comment on Ms McDonagh's comments.

It comes after MP Joan Ryan joined the 'gang of seven' who quit Labour to form a new group.

(Image: Tony Margiocchi / Barcroft Media)

The Labour Friends of Israel chair declared Mr Corbyn is "not fit" to lead a party "completely infected" with anti-Semitism as she joined the new Independent Group.

She added in a Jewish Chronicle article: "A Corbyn government would be, as British Jews have claimed, an existential threat to the community. I will do all in my power to stop that threat from materialising."

Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Gavin Shuker, Angela Smith, Ann Coffey, Mike Gapes, Chris Leslie all quit on Monday, attacking what they said was Mr Corbyn's failure to fully oppose Brexit and stamp out anti-Semitism.

Mr Corbyn's initial response was that he was "disappointed" in the MPs for leaving.

(Image: PA)

But that response prompted a backlash from centrist MPs against Labour chair Ian Lavery in a heated meeting on Monday night.

Stella Creasy accused the party of "constructive dismissal" of Jewish MP Ms Berger, while another Jewish MP Ruth Smeeth broke down in tears.

Yesterday Mr Corbyn said: “I regret that seven MPs decided they would no longer remain part of the Labour Party.

“I thank them for their work.”

Labour is now planning a law that would force MPs to face a by-election if they quit the party under whose banner they won.

Meanwhile the Independent Group has had a 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.

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

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

The group told the Mirror the situation would soon be clarified and it intended to follow Electoral Commission rules. It will have to register as a political party - and declare all donations - if it fields candidates in an election.