Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson has delivered an urgent warning to Jeremy Corbyn to reach out to all wings of the party or risk further resignations from MPs.

After a group of seven MPs splintered away from the Labour Party to form the Independent Group in the House of Commons, Mr Watson also issued a scathing attack on “hard left” members who were celebrating the resignations.

In a video message recorded on Monday, Mr Watson said: “The tragedy of the hard left can be too easily tempted into the language of heresy and treachery.”

He later added: “I love this party. But sometimes I no longer recognise it. That’s why I do not regard those who have resigned today as traitors.”:

Referring to the handling of antisemitism allegations in the party’s ranks, Labour’s deputy leader said Luciana Berger – one of the MPs who resigned – was a casualty of a “virulent form of identity politics that has seized the Labour Party”.

Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Show all 12 1 /12 Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Change UK Details on the individual MPs are in the following photos Reuters Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Heidi Allen Anti-Brexit MP for South Cambridgeshire resigned from the Conservative party on February 20 PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Chuka Umunna MP for Streatham since 2010 and prominent People's Vote supporter PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Anna Soubry The prominent anti-Brexit MP for Broxtowe resigned from the Conservative party on February 20 PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Luciana Berger MP for Liverpool Wavertree since 2010, resigned from the Labour Party over bullying and anti-semitism PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Sarah Wollaston Anti-Brexit MP for Totnes resigned from the Conservative party on February 20 PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Joan Ryan MP for Enfield North resigned from the Labour party on February 19 citing its tolerance of a "culture of anti-Jewish racism" PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Ann Coffey MP for Stockport since 1992 Chris McAndrew / UK Parliament Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Gavin Shuker MP for Luton South since 2010 Getty Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Chris Leslie MP for Nottingham East since 2010 PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Mike Gapes MP for Ilford South since 1992 PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Angela Smith MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge since 2010

At a surprise press conference in Westminster earlier on Monday, the MPs, who included Ms Berger, Chuka Umuna, Chris Leslie, Angela Smith, Mike Gapes, and Ann Coffey, delivered a scathing assessment of Mr Corbyn’s leadership, and the party’s response to Brexit.

Mr Watson added his message: “I confess I feared this day would come. And I fear now, that unless we change, we may see more days like this. The departure of our colleagues poses a test for our party.”

“Do we respond with simple condemnation or do we try and reach out and extend beyond our comfort zone and prevent others from following?”

He later appeared to call on the Labour leader to reshuffle the party’s top team, adding the frontbench “needs to once again reflect the balance of opinion in the Parliamentary Labour Party.”

“We need to broaden out so that all the members of our broad church feel welcome in our congregation,” he said.