Politics

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has lamented the re-election of Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader, describing him as a "failed" opposition leader.

Mr Farron added that his party is prepared to provide opposition to the "Conservative Brexit Government" if Labour doesn't "do its job".

"This is a case of things can only get worse," he said. "Jeremy Corbyn has failed as opposition leader and failed to stand up for Britain's place in Europe.

"He is now not backing our membership of the single market despite the damage leaving would do to our economy and the threat it poses to jobs.

"After a year of failure, it is disappointing for all of those who oppose this Government that the Labour leadership will continue to be dominated by ineffectual leaders.

"As Labour fight among themselves the Liberal Democrats will make the case for an open tolerant and united Britain.

"If Labour won't do its job as the opposition to the Conservative Brexit Government, we will."

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has described Jeremy Corbyn's increased mandate as "extraordinary".

Mr Corbyn's tally of 313,209 votes was more than 60,000 higher than the 251,417 (59.5%) he secured in 2015.

Speaking after Mr Corbyn's victory in the Labour leadership election was announced in Liverpool, Mr McDonnell said: "Jeremy has got an increased mandate, extraordinary really.

"It was tough because we had 130,000 members ruled out and that would have added another five or seven or eight per cent to his vote I think.

"But, nevertheless, he still got 61.8%."

Mr McDonnell said there would be a "discussion" about calls from MPs for them to have a vote on who sits in the shadow cabinet.

He added: "I think the spirit now at the end of this election campaign is one of coming together."

The Conservative chairman has claimed that the Labour leadership contest had revealed a party too deeply split to act as a functioning party.

Sir Patrick McLoughlin said despite the landslide vote for Mr Corbyn, Labour remained stricken by an internal power struggle that showed no sign of abating.

Owen Smith has congratulated Jeremy Corbyn on "being elected decisively as our leader", adding: "Now is time for all of us to work to take Labour back to power."

Mr Smith, who left the hall in Liverpool without making a concession speech, added his voice to calls for the party to reunite after the bruising leadership contest.

He said he has "no time for talk of a split in the Labour movement" as he pledged his support to Corbyn - but said he would be reflecting on his own role in the party.

The head of Unite union has said that Jeremy Corbyn's re-election must mark the end of "sniping, plotting and corridor coups" among Labour MPs.

Len McCluskey, who has been one of Mr Corbyn's key backers, said the party leadership challenge had been a "needless" distraction and the party must now come together.

Jeremy Corbyn has insisted that the Labour party remains united as he called for a "clean slate" following his re-election as leader.

He thanked voters for giving him "second mandate" in a year but told his defeated challenger Owen Smith they were "part of the same Labour family".

Mr Corbyn thanked his rival for a "good-humoured" debate, though he acknowledged that in a "passionate and often partisan" contest things were said on both sides that they had later come to regret.

But he added: "I will do everything I can to repay the trust and support, to bring our party together."

The election of the Labour party's new leader saw a turnout of 77.6%.

With an electorate of around 660,000 members, union affiliates and registered supporters, this suggests that more than half a million people have cast their vote.

It makes it all but certain that Mr Corbyn will increase his overall tally of votes from the 251,417 figure he achieved in 2015, when 422,871 (76.3%) of the 554,272 eligible voters took part.

Expectations are high in Liverpool that he will also improve his 59.5% share of vote from 2015, when the vote was split between four candidates rather than two.

The result of the contest between Jeremy Corbyn and Owen Smith will be announced shortly before noon.