Monday 27 June 2016 8:44 am

Jeremy Corbyn announces new shadow cabinet amid mass resignations

By: Jake Cordell

Jeremy Corbyn has announced ten new members of his top team this morning in defiance of the slew of resignations engulfing Labour's frontbench and ahead of a crucial meeting of MPs later this evening.

As a host of shadow ministers resigned this morning, Corbyn has already promoted a number of loyalists and insiders to senior positions in his shadow cabinet.

Emily Thonberry replaces Hilary Benn, who was sacked in the early hours of Sunday morning after newspapers reported he was orchestrating a coup, as shadow foreign secretary.

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Diane Abbott, another figure from the Labour left, jumps to shadow health secretary. 

There are also cabinet positions for a number of MPs from the 2015 intake, including Clive Lewis, a former soldier, who becomes defence secretary and Rebecca Long-Bailey who replaces Seema Malhotra as chief secretary to the Treasury.

Corbyn is facing an attempt to oust him from the leadership as a number of senior ministers and cabinet figures resigned over the weekend, fearing Labour will take a big hit at the general election if they are led into battle by Corbyn.

Those resigning feel he did not do enough to help the Remain campaign in the EU referendum, and have been told by party members they do not believe Corbyn is up to the job. MPs will be debating his position at a meeting of the parliamentary Labour party this evening, before voting on a motion of no confidence tomorrow.

A number of positions are yet to be filled, though John McDonnell, shadow chancellor and key Corbyn ally, said he expects the new cabinet to be in place by lunchtime today.

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