Meanwhile, the race to succeed Mr Corbyn intensified, as allies of frontrunner Sir Keir Starmer hit back at attempts to discredit him as a London-based Remainer.

Last night Sir Keir confirmed he was "seriously considering" running to be leader, as he admitted that Labour had failed to counter the Tories' pledge to "get Brexit done" or tackle anti-Semitism in its ranks.

In a thinly veiled swiped at Mr Corbyn, he told the Guardian last night that the party had been damaged by "too much factionalism" and must now return to being a "broad church".

However, he claimed that the "case for a bold and radical Labour government is as strong now as it was last Thursday," in an apparent attempt to attract pro-Corbyn members who may feel he is not left-wing enough.

Hitting back at claims from the hard-Left that he is too middle class to win back working class communities, he also pointed out that his father was a tool maker and his mother a nurse.

Allies of Angela Rayner, the shadow education secretary, also urged her to consider running for leader rather than as deputy to Rebecca Long-Bailey, amid growing speculation that the two flatmates will run on a joint ticket.

While Ms Long-Bailey, the shadow business secretary, commands the backing of prominent Corbynistas including John McDonnell, Ms Rayner is likely to be backed by more MPs and trade union figures.

MPs also expressed concern the Labour leadership may try and influence the selection of Mr Corbyn’s successor, as they were told new members signing up to vote would have to be vetted.