Jeremy Corbyn ally Chris Williamson quits Labour frontbench

Jeremy Corbyn's staunch ally Chris Williamson has quit Labour's frontbench as he strives to "be a voice for the party's members".

The Derby North MP, who served as shadow fire minister, promised to continue to "loyally support" Mr Corbyn as he announced his surprise decision to return to Labour's backbenches.

He said: "I will be standing down from my role with immediate effect so that I can return to the backbenches, where I will be campaigning on a broader range of issues.

"I will continue to loyally support the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn from the backbenches and hope to be a voice for the party's members."

Mr Williamson, a staunch supporter of both the Labour leader and left-wing group Momentum, recently suggested doubling council tax on highest-value homes to boost councils' coffers.

Both he and a party spokesman insisted the proposal was not Labour policy, with Mr Williamson telling the Huffington Post: "This is not Labour party policy, it's an idea I came up with at a local level and it's got a little bit of traction in other parts of the country.

"It's a reaction to an emergency that local government has been placed in."

The MP's comments were immediately attacked by the Conservative Party.

Responding to Mr Williamson's resignation, Mr Corbyn said: "I am grateful for Chris' work on the frontbench, particularly on fire safety following the appalling Grenfell Tower fire.

"I know that on the backbenches, Chris will be a strong campaigner on a range of crucial issues as well as serving his constituents with dedication."