Field says no to Birkenhead by-election

3 September 2018, 15:13 | Updated: 3 September 2018, 15:14

Frank Field has decided he will not trigger a by-election following his decision to resign the party whip.

The Birkenhead MP said he had huge support from people in his constituency, who had "stressed I should simply get on with the job of representing Birkenhead".

"Therefore, I will not be calling a by-election," he said. "The whole of my time will continue, as in the past, with trying to serve Birkenhead to the best of my ability and spearheading a whole series of major projects in the town.

"I also look forward to contributing further to the development of the Labour Party's programme of social and economic reform."

Mr Field also pledged to fight any attempt to expel him from the party.

"I now have what may become a major legal dispute with the Labour Party over my continuing membership of the party," he said.

"I shall fight any attempt at expelling me in every way I can and, if need be, in the courts.

"This interpretation of Labour's rulebook could last a long time."