UK Labour’s Shadow Attorney General quits cabinet

Catherine McKinnell has quit as Shadow Attorney General in the UK Labour Party’s shadow cabinet over concerns about the direction of the party under leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Ms McKinnell said the party was on an “increasingly negative path” following a flurry of resignations in the wake of Mr Corbyn’s reshuffle – seen by many to quieten dissenters.

She said it was with a “heavy heart” that she concluded her place was on the backbenches.

Her resignation is the fourth since the reshuffle and comes only hours after the Labour leader said the party was moving on from its internal problems in recent weeks.

Last week, Shadow Europe Minister Pat McFadden as well as former Culture Secretary Michael Dugher were removed from the shadow cabinet, while Maria Eagle was demoted to culture spokeswoman. Three other shadow ministers resigned their posts in protest at Mr Corbyn’s reshuffle.

Ms McKinnell, MP for Newcastle Upon Tyne North, stated in her resignation letter that being a member of the shadow cabinet stopped her from speaking about issues important to her constituents.

She also cited difficulties balancing her personal life and work after the birth of her third child last year.

However, she also questioned Mr Corbyn’s recent decisions.

“As events have unfolded over recent weeks, my concern about the direction and internal conflict within the Labour party has only grown and I fear this is taking us down an increasingly negative path,” she said.

“I feel that I would like to channel my energy constructively, into making positive changes for my constituents.”