Jeremy Corbyn was accused of a “Stalinist purge” after sacking Owen Smith as Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary over his Brexit stance.
The Pontypridd MP dramatically revealed he backed a referendum on the final deal in an interview on Friday. Just hours later, the party announced he had been “asked to stand down”.
Smith, who challenged Jeremy Corbyn for the Labour leadership in 2016, came out fighting on Twitter, saying his view is shared by Labour members and he “will continue to speak up for them”.
“Labour needs to do more than just back a soft Brexit or guarantee a soft border in Ireland,” Smith had said in the interview.
He said he had gone public as he feared how a hard Brexit would impact on the peace process in Northern Ireland.
Some pointed out how Diane Abbott, a Corbyn loyalist also in the Shadow Cabinet, had likewise suggested giving the public “a vote” on Brexit.
Pro-EU Labour MPs have been lining up to support Smith after the move, which comes as Corbyn was embroiled in a fresh anti-semitism row.
The leader has drawn widespread criticism after he appeared to condemn the removal of an anti-semitic mural in a Facebook post in 2012.
His spokesman defended the post, however, saying: “Jeremy was responding to concerns about the removal of public art on grounds of freedom of speech.”
Corbyn’s premiership has been dogged by accusations that he has allowed anti-semitism to flourish in the party rank and file.
Ilford North’s Wes Streeting, backed Smith in a pointed post on Twitter, which said: “If only anti-semites were dealt with as swiftly as remainers.”
Labour former Cabinet minister Lord Hain accused Corbyn of a “terrible Stalinist purge” for sacking Smith.
The former Northern Ireland secretary said Smith had been doing a “terrific job” and “in a shadow cabinet with a few big hitters he was definitely one”.
Ex-Labour Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw added: “Why is @OwenSmith_MP being sacked for representing views of @UKLabour members & voters on Tory #BrexitShambles when John, Emily & Shami publicly contradicted Jeremy on #Salisburyattack & are still in their jobs?”
Labour MP Anna Turley said Smith’s sacking was “disappointing” and he would be a loss to the front bench.
Former Cabinet minister Ben Bradshaw told Smith he was “very sorry to see you go”.
MP Heidi Alexander said Smith “deserves our respect and unequivocal support” adding that Corbyn knew his views on the EU when he appointed him.
Mike Gapes, another Labour MP, said that “apparently (in) Corbyn world free speech is allowed for anti-Semites but not for Labour MPs supporting the views of our members and our 2016 Conference Policy on the EU”.
Corbyn, meanwhile, released a statement about the apparently anti-semitic post.
He said his post was a “general comment about the removal of public art” and suggested he did not look closely at the mural before commenting.
Corbyn also continues to face pressure from the party’s staunchly pro-EU membership to change position on leaving the bloc.
Labour shifted to back remaining in a customs union with Europe, but said they would honour the result of the referendum.
CEO of Best for Britain Eloise Todd said: “Owen Smith was speaking the truth about the choice on the table for the Labour party.
“The reality is Labour need to make some tough decisions in the coming months about their position on Brexit.
“At the very least they need to offer the public a people’s vote on the terms of Brexit once we know what they are. Everyone deserves a vote on their future.
“It’s time for the Labour Party to step up and provide a real alternative to the government’s disastrous Brexit plans.”
On appointing Lloyd, Corbyn said: “Tony is a highly experienced former government minister who is committed to ensuring that peace in Northern Ireland is maintained and helping to steer the devolution deal back on track.”
Lloyd has previously served as a Foreign Office minister under Tony Blair and was chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party between 2006 and 2012 when he was MP for Stretford, later renamed Manchester Central.
After standing down in 2012 to successfully run as Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner, Lloyd was credited for brokering the ground-breaking Manchester devolution deal with the coalition government.
He lost out in the Labour selection to run for Manchester Mayor to Andy Burnham and so re-entered Parliament.
After the announcement of his appointment to the Northern Ireland post, he said: “As we leave the European Union, ensuring there is no hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic is of paramount importance and this will be my number one priority. This is an incredibly important job, with a huge in-tray and I am looking forward to starting work.”