IAN Austin MP has expressed his concern with the 'culture of extremism, antisemitism and intolerance' within the Labour party, following the resignations of seven MPs today.

Seven MPs resigned from the Labour Party today (February 18) in protest at Jeremy Corbyn's handling of anti-Semitism and Brexit.

Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Angela Smith, Mike Gapes, Gavin Shuker and Ann Coffey all resigned from the Labour whip and declared they would be standing as Independents.

Responding to the resignations, Mr Austin said it was 'terrible' that the leadership of the party had driven 'good MPs and decent people' to leave.

The Dudley North MP, a vocal critic of Jeremy Corbyn and his handling of anti-Semitism in the party, said: "I have been warning that the new hard left leadership of the Labour Party is turning a mainstream party into something very different and it is terrible that the culture of extremism, antisemitism and intolerance is driving good MPs and decent people who have committed their life to mainstream politics to leave.

"It is impossible to say where this will end up but I’m certainly not going to criticise good people who are being driven out.”