Lewisham East MP Heidi Alexander was the first of 11 shadow cabinet ministers to resign in a day in an attempt to force Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn out.

It was announced this morning that she will be replaced as shadow health secretary by Diane Abbott, one of Corbyn's closest allies.

Alexander quit her position yesterday (June 26) after Corbyn sacked Hilary Benn as shadow foreign secretary.

Mr Benn was dismissed in the early hours of Sunday morning following reports that he was orchestrating moves to mount a coup against Corbyn.

In her resignation letter, she wrote:

"It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to you to resign from the Shadow Cabinet.

"The result of the referendum last week means that our country is facing unprecedented challenges.

"Those who will be hit hardest by the economic shock associated with the vote to leave the EU need a strong opposition, as do those communities who fear rising levels of intolerance, hatred and division.

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"More than ever, our country needs an effective opposition which can hold the Government to account and which is capable of developing a credible and inspiring alternative to an increasingly right-wing and backward-looking Conservative Party.

"As much as I respect you as a man of principle, I do not believe you have the capacity to shape the answers our country is demanding and I believe that if we are to form the next Government, a change of leadership is essential.

"I would like to thank you for the opportunity to serve in the Shadow Cabinet.

"Yours sincerely, Heidi Alexander MP."

The Labour leader has said he will stay in his position and will not "betray" the trust of the party members who elected him.

He said: 

"Those who want to change Labour's leadership will have to stand in a democratic election, in which I will be a candidate.

"Over the next 24 hours I will reshape my shadow cabinet and announce a new leadership team to take forward Labour's campaign for a fairer Britain - and to get the best deal with Europe for our people."

A motion of no confidence is set to be considered at the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) meeting, with the possibility of a secret vote on Tuesday.