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Corbyn fills four vacancies in his shadow cabinet

Jeremy Corbyn has filled four vacancies in his shadow cabinet following the Brexit vote.

The Labour leader appointed Rebecca Long-Bailey as shadow business secretary, Sue Hayman as shadow environment secretary, Christina Rees as shadow Wales secretary and Peter Dowd as shadow chief secretary to the Treasury

In total, 52 Labour MPs rebelled against Mr Corbyn's orders and voted against triggering Article 50 on Wednesday night.

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Labour's Clive Lewis resigns to defy Corbyn on Brexit vote

Shadow business secretary Clive Lewis has resigned. Credit: Matt Crossick/Empics Entertainment

Labour's Clive Lewis has resigned from the shadow cabinet in order to defy his party leader Jeremy Corbyn's three-line whip over the Government's Brexit Bill.

The shadow business secretary stepped down as he did not agree with the order to back the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill at its third reading.

He said in a statement: “When I became the MP for Norwich South, I promised my constituents I would be ‘Norwich’s voice in Westminster, not Westminster’s voice in Norwich’. I therefore cannot, in all good conscience, vote for something I believe will ultimately harm the city I have the honour to represent, love and call home.

“It is therefore with a heavy heart that I have decided to resign from the shadow cabinet.

“It has been a privilege to work with Jeremy Corbyn and be part of the shadow cabinet. I will continue to support our party and our leader from the back benches to the very best of my ability.”

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