Labour leadership contender Emily Thornberry accused of calling northern voters 'stupid'

ne of the MPs tipped to replace Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader has been accused of calling northern voters "stupid" in a row over who was to blame for the party’s election defeat.

Emily Thornberry, who represents a Remain-voting constituency next to Mr Corbyn's in north London, is alleged to have told a fellow MP in a Leave-voting seat: "I'm glad my constituents aren't as stupid as yours". 

The claim, made by defeated Don Valley Labour MP Caroline Flint, was quickly denied by Ms Thornberry but it fuelled a growing row over Corbyn loyalists blaming the public for last week’s historic defeat.

On Monday Ms Thornberry said she is consulting lawyers about Ms Flint's claim. The shadow foreign secretary...