Jeremy Corbyn has announced changes to his shadow cabinet, replacing shadow defence secretary Maria Eagle with ally Emily Thornberry, while retaining Hilary Benn as shadow foreign secretary after lengthy negotiations.
Eagle moved to the shadow culture secretary role largely due to her disagreement with Corbyn's position opposing the Trident nuclear weapons system. Corbyn also sacked shadow culture secretary Michael Dugher and shadow Europe minister Pat McFadden for what Labour sources described as displays of 'incompetence and disloyalty.' McFadden is replaced by Pat Glass, who chairs Labour's pro-EU group.
McFadden stated that Corbyn told him he did not want him to continue on the front bench, particularly because of questions McFadden asked about terrorism and national security after the Paris attacks. McFadden emphasised his disagreement with Corbyn's view on terrorism responsibility, saying 'terrorists are entirely responsible for their own actions.'
Corbyn had initially wanted to move both Eagle and Benn, but up to 10 shadow cabinet ministers threatened to resign if Benn were removed. Emily Thornberry was appointed to defence because her views align more closely with Corbyn's. Labour sources made clear that open dissent against the leader would not be tolerated in future.
