LABOUR Party deputy leader Tom Watson has pulled out of an appearance at next week’s Durham Miners’ Gala.

The MP was due to share the stage with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn at the annual trade union gathering, but Mr Watson has now cancelled his appearance due to his father’s illness.

A statement issued by the Durham Miners’ Association today said: “We have been informed by Tom Watson, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, that due to his father’s illness he regrets that he will not be able to attend this year’s Gala.

“Tom’s father, a lifelong socialist and Unison activist, asked Tom to pass on his best wishes to all attending the Big Meeting particularly to Jeremy Corbyn who was, ‘very supportive of him whilst in hospital this year’.

“The DMA wishes to extend to Tom’s father its best wishes and hope he has a speedy recovery”.

Earlier this week, Mr Corbyn lost a vote of no confidence by members of the Parliamentary Labour Party in the wake of the European referendum result and was urged by Mr Watson to stand down from the leadership.

Durham miners’ leaders have since withdrawn invites to the Gala from MPs who voted against the Labour leader.