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Shadow ministers walk out in wake of Labour reshuffle

Three shadow ministers have resigned from their positions in the wake of Jeremy Corbyn's first reshuffle as Labour leader.

Shadow rail minister Jonathan Reynolds and shadow foreign affairs minister Stephen Doughty both stood down after expressing dismay at the treatment of colleague Pat McFadden, who was sacked as shadow Europe minister.

Later, Kevan Jones, shadow minister for the armed forces, resigned citing differences with the leader over the Trident nuclear deterrent.

Emily Thornberry, who opposes renewal of the programme, had been appointed to replace Maria Eagle overnight.

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McDonnell: Corbyn is the 'Arsene Wenger of politics'

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell described Jeremy Corbyn as the "Arsene Wenger of politics" as he dismissed speculation following the party's cabinet reshuffle as "a lot of hype".

Speaking on Good Morning Britain, he rejected the suggestion the Labour leader had "dithered" over the shape of his new shadow cabinet.

He told presenters Susanna Reid and Piers Morgan that Foreign Secretary Hilary Benn was "never going to go" adding that Labour's free vote over air strikes in Syria meant he was at liberty to disagree with the party leader.

But he later told the BBC that in the future, Benn must speak from a few rows back if he wants to disagree with Corbyn on a free vote.

[Corbyn is] re-dictating the terms of what leadership is all about. It's about bringing people in, building a team, being a good manager and that's what he's developing. He is an Arsene Wenger of politics.

– Shadow Chancellor, John McDonnell

McDonnell said that Maria Eagle had taken her "dream job" switching the defence and culture briefs.

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Shadow ministers walk out in wake of Labour reshuffle

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