The Member of Parliament for Ilford South has resigned from the Labour Party saying he is “sickened” by how it is perceived as a "racist party".

Long serving MP Mike Gapes has represented Ilford South since 1992 and plans to continue representing the constituency as an independent politician as part of the new Independent Group of MPs.

The leader of Redbridge's Labour-led council has reacted to the news, saying Mr Gapes will be "greatly missed in the party", but Labour plans to "proceed through this difficulty together".

In an open letter to Ilford South constituents, Mr Gapes said: “I joined the Labour Party fifty years ago aged 16.

"I have good friends in the Labour Party locally, nationally and internationally.

“Recent political positions taken by the leadership of the Labour Party have been increasingly difficult to justify or support. This is not the Labour Party I joined or have supported for so many years.

“I am sickened that Labour is now perceived by many as a racist, anti-Semitic party.

"There has been considerable reluctance to seriously deal with hundreds of cases of anti-Semitism and several prominent anti-Semites have been readmitted to the Party.”

He added it was becoming “increasingly clear” that members of the Corbyn leadership were not in favour of stopping Brexit, something the MP believes will cause “great economic, social and political damage to our country.”

Mr Gapes went on: “I have always worked hard to represent the interests of my constituents and my country. I must be true to myself and my values.

"I must also be honest with my constituents. A Corbyn government would threaten the prosperity and security of our country. I cannot support that. I am therefore resigning from the Labour Party.”

Cllr Jas Athwal, the leader of Redbridge's Labour-led council, reacted to the news in a statement.

He said: "I'm saddened to see that several of our MPs have found it necessary to leave the Labour party. I am especially sorry to see our local Ilford South MP Mike Gapes step down from Labour as he has been a committed local MP for many years and will be deeply missed in the party.

"Despite any perceived political or ideological differences, we are a broad church in the Labour Party and more than that we are fundamentally a family. I am a collectivist at heart and I believe these divisions make us weaker, not stronger so I will continue to work closely with my Labour colleagues locally and nationally to proceed through this difficulty together.

"My priority is, and has always been, local Redbridge people and I will stay focused on investing in our borough, protecting our critical services and delivering the results they all deserve."