IAN AUSTIN was told to face a by-election over his minuscule 22-vote majority today after he became the ninth MP to resign from Labour.

Mr Austin, who represented Dudley North, said that Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership had made it impossible for him to continue as a party member.

In an interview with the BBC, Mr Austin said that Mr Corbyn had transformed Labour into a “narrow sect.”

He also claimed that the party has a “culture of extremism and intolerance” and criticised the party’s handling of anti-semitism complaints.

Mr Austin’s resignation came days after eight other Labour MPs resigned to form the Independent Group with pro-Remain Tory MPs.

Independent Group MP Chuka Umunna expressed his “massive respect” for Mr Austin, adding: “He has stayed true to his values and what he believes to be the national interest.”

Mr Austin has said that he has “no plans” to join Mr Umunna’s new outfit, which is a private company rather than a political party so does not need to disclose its sources of funding.

However, like other defecting MPs, he has ruled out calling a by-election, claiming: “My work for the people in this community is going to carry on as it always has.”

Mr Austin spent most of his career as a full-time Labour official before becoming an MP in 2005.

He was known for being a trusted political operator for former prime minister Gordon Brown and served as a regional affairs minister under him.

However, his relationship with Mr Corbyn was troubled from the beginning.

During a 2016 parliamentary session where Mr Corbyn apologised on behalf of the Labour Party for the Iraq war, Mr Austin shouted “sit down and shut up” as the leader was talking.

He also attracted widespread allegations of bullying, including of having harassed writer Michael Rosen and using abusive language towards party chair Ian Lavery.

It is rumoured that more Labour rightwingers intend to resign over the coming week.

Labour’s shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon said: “Ian Austin is an MP because he stood on Labour’s manifesto For the Many, Not the Few.

“He’s now trying to undermine the chances of a Labour government.

“That won’t work.

“He should do the decent and democratic thing by the voters of Dudley and let them choose in a by-election.”