Clive Lewis ‘gauging support among MPs to OUST Jeremy Corbyn as leader’, says report

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Clive Lewis is reportedly seeking ally's for his leadership challenge

Clive Lewis, who quit the Shadow Cabinet shortly before the Article 50 vote in Parliament earlier this week, has previously been hailed as a potential future leader by the Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell.

Mr Lewis’s supporters have been gauging support for the Norwich South MP’s leadership challenge since before Christmas, according to the Telegraph.

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Reports also suggest Mr Lewis could have been preparing to overthrow Corbyn since the party’s annual conference in September. Minutes after Mr Lewis's speech on Trident at the conference, he reportedly punched a wall because one of Corbyn’s aides altered his stance on the defence issue.

Prominent left-wing commentator Owen Jones has allegedly been speaking to MPs to gauge their willingness to support Mr Lewis as a future candidate.

Mr Lewis’s resignation forced Corbyn to reshuffle his entire shadow cabinet. The former shadow business secretary defied a three-line whip after agreeing last week that he would vote against the legislation at third reading if Labour amendments to safeguard against a "hard Brexit" were not passed.

But Corbyn seemed to leave the door open for his Mr Lewis's return.

During an interview with the BBC, the Labour leader said: "I wish Clive well and look forward to working with him in the future."

Corbyn has now promoted Rebecca Long-Bailey to replace Mr Lewis as Shadow Business Secretary.

Peter Dowd has been promoted within the Shadow Treasury team to fill Ms Long-Bailey’s former role as Shadow Chief Secretary.

Sue Hayman joins the frontbench as Shadow Environment Secretary after the resignation of Rachael Maskell.

Although a replacement has not been announced for Dawn Butler as Shadow Communities minister, Christina Rees has become the Shadow Wales Secretary, replacing Jo Stevens.

A Conservative spokesman said: “This is Jeremy Corbyn’s fourth reshuffle and still nothing has changed.

“Labour remains completely out of touch with the concerns of ordinary, working people.”

Although Owen Jones dismissed reports he had made calls on Mr Lewis's behalf, Daily Express tried to contact Mr Lewis and the Labour Party for comment.

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