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Angela Eagle had a furious set-to with one of the BBC's top presenters today when she accused him of using a "Corbynista meme".

The Labour leadership challenger laid into radio veteran John Humphrys when he grilled her over voting for the Iraq War.

In a heated exchange that also saw him accuse her of crying on the job, the BBC Radio 4 Today presenter questioned the former Shadow Business Secretary over her voting record.

She replied: "Hang on a minute, you're not going to repeat a Corbynista meme that's going round Twitter are you?"

The picture she refers to on the social media network urges Labour members to reject Ms Eagle for backing the 'Iraq War, bombing Syria, tuition fees and nuclear weapons'.

Voting records show she voted to raise fees to £3,000 under Labour but not £9,000 under the coalition. She supports renewing Trident, and backed the Iraq War in 2003 and air strikes on Syria last year.

But as Mr Humphrys raised the subject she raised all Labour's achievements in power - adding she was simply a "northern girl from working class roots who understands modern life".

She added: "I voted to double the amount of money we spent on the health service.

"On Trident I think the country needs to have proper defence.

(Image: Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

"I voted for the minimum wage - I stayed up all night to make sure this country had a national minimum wage when the Conservatives were voting against it and saying it was a job destroyer."

She added: "I would be providing strong membership, I wouldn't be hid in my room not talking to Labour members."

As the argument became heated Ms Eagle was grilled over a tearful interview she gave before launching her leadership challenge.

Mr Humphrys suggested she should "control" her emotions to be a successful leader.

(Image: PA)

She replied: "I tried for nine months to fulfil my promise to local party members to try to make Jeremy Corbyn 's leadership work, and it was just emotion that I've been unable to deliver that.

"Don't think that shedding a little tear - listen, there's more than one way to be a leader. And I think being in touch with your emotions is quite an important thing.

"Politicians ought to be human beings."

She added: "I'm not crying now, am I?"

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey blasted "histrionic" Ms Eagle for helping force a no confidence vote before her challenge - which Mr Corbyn lost 172-40.

(Image: PA)

He thundered: "They didn't need this histrionics of resignations they could have done this a couple of weeks ago."

And he blasted an NEC meeting later today which could bar Jeremy Corbyn from the ballot without winning 51 nominations from MPs and MEPs.

He said he would accept the result of an election - but "what I won't accept is any sordid little fix which is alien to our traditions."

Told about research seen by the Mirror that shows union members' backing for Mr Corbyn has slipped, he said: "Why don't you come down here? Ask [our delegates] what they think!

"These kinds of polls can be twisted and interpreted in all kinds of ways."

Ms Eagle hit back at Mr McCluskey, saying: "Len sounds like he's gone to too many Am Dram performances.

"I've known Len since I was 16. We get on very well. I'm a trade unionist to my fingertips."