Eagle To Launch Labour Leadership Challenge

Angela Eagle is expected to launch her challenge later to replace Jeremy Corbyn as the leader of the Labour Party.

The former shadow business secretary is expected to announce at 3pm she will run against the Labour leader if he has not said he is standing down.

Sky's Chief Political Correspondent Jon Craig said: "There is some truth in this claim, since her backers include 'soft left' MPs, Brownites and some of the Blairites who were close to Tony Blair.

"One of her senior backers said she still hopes Jeremy will stand down, therefore we can assume that if he does quit before 3pm she will announce that she intends to be a candidate in a leadership election."

:: Ex-Chess Champ Poised To Make Move On Corbyn

Deputy leader Tom Watson said earlier he would not stand against Mr Corbyn but has been attempting to persuade him to step down.

He said: "My party is in peril, we are facing an existential crisis and I just don't want us to be in this position because I think there are millions of people in this country who need a left-leaning government."

It comes after the big four unions that back the Labour Party said they recognise the need for a leadership election but will continue to offer support for Mr Corbyn.

Labour's shadow chancellor John McDonnell, meanwhile, told Sky News Mr Corbyn "is defiant" and is "up for a leadership challenge".

On Tuesday night, 172 Labour MPs backed a vote of no confidence in the House of Commons, with just 40 voting against it.

Despite this Mr Corbyn is refusing to stand down leading to a move to increase the number of supporters likely to vote against him with a website being created called SavingLabour.com, to help people lobby their MP or constituency party chairman.

Meanwhile, author and former Labour donor Robert Harris has urged people who are concerned about what is happening to the party to become members to vote Mr Corbyn out.

Mr Corbyn was attacked in Parliament by the Prime Minister during PMQs on Wednesday, with David Cameron facing him at the dispatch box and telling him: "For heaven's sake man, go."

Former Labour leader Ed Miliband told Sky News: "I think the best thing ... is that he stands down, painful though that might be for him and many of his supporters."

Craig said he understands considerable efforts are being made to persuade Mr Corbyn to go.

It is believed that his political adviser, Guardian journalist Seumas Milne, is telling him to "tough it out".

A letter signed on Wednesday afternoon by 100 party members from across the East Midlands called on Mr Corbyn to resign.

Labour MEP Mary Honeyball warned the party could split if Mr Corbyn refused to quit.