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Champion rejoins Corbyn’s team in resignation U-turn

JEREMY CORBYN’S fight for survival as Labour leader was boosted yesterday when he welcomed back one of the MPs who quit his shadow team last month.

Sarah Champion resigned as shadow Home Office minister for preventing abuse and domestic violence amid an attempted coup against Mr Corbyn’s leadership.

She was one of more than 60 MPs who stepped down as part of a rolling campaign of resignations designed to force Mr Corbyn out and avoid a second leadership election that he is likely to win.

But the Rotherham MP has delighted grassroots members by seeking a return to the post.

In a letter to Mr Corbyn sent yesterday, she said: “Dear Jeremy, I would like to formally retract my resignation and ask to be reinstated to my role as shadow Home Office minister for preventing abuse and domestic violence with immediate effect.”

Labour confirmed shortly afterwards that Mr Corbyn had been “pleased” to accept her request.

A spokesman for the Labour leader told the Star: “We welcome anyone back. The important thing is that we oppose the government and get on with the job of opposition.

“Anyone who wants to return would be welcome.”

Ms Champion’s decision comes days after Mr Corbyn launched his re-election campaign by offering a “hand of friendship” to MPs who had quit the Labour front bench.

“It’s the job, it’s the duty, it’s the responsibility of every Labour MP to get behind the party at that point and put it there against the Tories about the different, fairer kind of Britain that we can build together,” he said last week.

Even challenger Owen Smith has confirmed he would rejoin the shadow cabinet if Mr Corbyn is re-elected.

Ms Champion, when she resigned last month, described Mr Corbyn’s position as “untenable” following a vote of no confidence in him by MPs.

“I can assure you I’ve not joined any coup, just think Jeremy’s position is no longer tenable if we’re to be effective,” she wrote on Twitter.

Ms Champion had not made a statement about what changed her mind before the Star went to press yesterday.

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