Corbyn dumps Labour Friends of Israel vice-chair in ‘revenge reshuffle’

Jeremy Corbyn has dumped a Labour Friends of Israel vice-chair from his shadow cabinet in his so-called revenge reshuffle.

Michael Dugher, a vocal advocate for Israel in the party who has described Labour’s recent policies on Israel as ‘catastrophic’, announced he had been “sacked” from the post of shadow culture secretary as part of the Labour leader’s shake-up of the shadow Cabinet.

But Mr Corbyn’s decision to kick out the Barnsley East MP, a close ally of former prime minister Gordon Brown, saw MPs express their dismay at the move.

And the party said a planned meeting of the shadow cabinet which had been set for 12.45pm had been cancelled.

Luciana Berger, shadow minister for mental health, led the praise for the ousted frontbencher. She wrote on Twitter: “Sorry @MichaelDugher leaving the shadow cabinet. One of @UKLabour’s best campaigners who’s worked hard to widen access to the arts & sport.”