Hunt leaves frontbench as Corbyn elected Labour leader

Tristram Hunt speaking at a press conference earlier this year Credit: Chris Radburn/PA Wire

The shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt has said he will not stay in the shadow cabinet under new leader Jeremy Corbyn.

He told the Press Association: "I will not seek to be part of the front bench. It is important to be honest about it - I have substantial political differences with Jeremy."

He added: "We need to congratulate Jeremy on his victory. He has won fair and square and within the rules. He has won handsomely. Now he needs the respect and the space as Labour leader to build his team and go forward."

Asked if he thought Mr Corbyn would find enough MPs willing to be part of his shadow cabinet, he said: "That's for his team to discover. I imagine they are working on that now."