A LABOUR councillor who has faced bullying has reflected on a ‘sad day’ for the party following the resignation of seven MPs.

Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Angela Smith, Gavin Shuker, Mike Gapes and Ann Coffey quit the party yesterday, Monday, and will be sitting in Parliament as the Independent Group.

Labour borough councillor Tony Higgins – who has revealed he has faced bullying since being elected to the Fairfield and Howley seat in 2010 – has responded to the resignations.

Cllr Higgins, executive board member for leisure and community, said: “This is a sad day for Labour.

“I am shocked and saddened that anyone feels bullied and intimidated simply for their cultural heritage – Luciana Berger is quite right to feel the way she does.

“This is why I’m doing all I can to build bridges in Warrington through the many cultural events we have here.

“Unfortunately, I know what it’s like to feel bullied, I have experienced bullying.

“Any resignations are damaging and are a problem for Labour.

“They were real Labour people – we can’t just turn our back on them.

“We need to ask why this has happened.”

Warrington North MP Helen Jones says she was sorry to see some of her former colleagues leave the party but believes they are wrong to do so.

The politician added she will not be bullied out of the party and will ‘stay and fight’ for her constituents.

In a message sent to members, leader Jeremy Corbyn has emphasised ‘our country is in crisis and needs a Labour Government’.

He adds: “Our opponents are the Tories, not each other, and it’s disappointing that a small group of MPs have felt unable to continue to work together for the Labour policies that inspired millions at the last election and saw us increase our vote by the largest share since 1945.

“When millions are facing the misery of universal credit, rising crime, homelessness and poverty, now more than ever is the time to bring people together to build a better future for us all.

“For those millions the only solution is a Labour Government that will invest in and transform our country.”