A Labour MP has blamed Jeremy Corbyn for the party losing a council seat to the Tories in his constituency.

Tom Blenkinsop, a fierce critic of the party leader, spoke out after the Conservatives won the Coulby Newham by-election to Middlesbrough Council with a swing of more than 8%.

Mr Blenkinsop, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said: “We lost due to the leader’s name being mentioned on the doorstep as the reason why residents were not voting Labour.

“And I am certain this is not just the case here but across boroughs and constituencies the length and breadth of Great Britain.”

He said since at least 1999 the ward has elected either three Labour councillors or two and an Independent.