Owen Smith: I'm best placed to heal Labour divisions

Labour MP Owen Smith says he's launched his leadership challenge because the party "is at grave risk of splitting".

In an interview with ITV Cymru Wales' political editor Adrian Masters, the MP for Pontypridd said: "We've got a small group of people on the right and the left of the party who are fatalistic about the prospect of that split happening, and are - I think - jeopardising the future of a Labour government".

The former shadow work and pensions secretary has joined Wallasey MP Angela Eagle in challenging Jeremy Corbyn for the party leadership.

Mr Smith told ITV News: "I am standing because I've been approached by many, many of my colleagues in Westminster and by hundreds of members across the country who think that I've got something distinctive to say".

But his leadership bid has not been universally well-received by Labour MPs.

Watch the full interview here: