UK shadow energy minister quits amid mass walkout

The turmoil following the Brexit vote has caught up with the opposition Labour party in the UK, with shadow energy and climate change minister Alan Whitehead becoming the latest to quit the party's top team.

Lisa Nandy, shadow energy and climate change secretary, resigned on Monday.

Whitehead's resignation letter says that Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is not the right person to lead the opposition.

"You will know that I have spent many years championing action to combat climate change and promote low carbon energy, as you have, and it was a pleasure being able to pursue these objectives as part of your front bench team," Whitehead says.

"However, thinking as I do, I cannot give you complete loyalty in this position and it would be dishonest of me to continue to occupy it," he adds.

It is with great sadness that I have resigned as Shadow Energy and Climate Change Minister as of 11am today pic.twitter.com/97JksufgUz

— Alan Whitehead (@alanwhiteheadmp) 28 June 2016

The wave of resignations followed the sacking of Hilary Benn, shadow foreign secretary, on Sunday. Many of the figures that have resigned have criticised Corbyn's handling of the EU referendum campaign. The Labour party supported the Remain option.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!