Keir Starmer is battling to reassert his authority within the Labour party over the conflict in Gaza, with four shadow ministers prepared to quit in the coming days and up to 10 others on "resignation watch". Sources say the shadow ministers are ready to resign rather than vote against a ceasefire in the Middle East, which Starmer has refused to back.
Several Labour MPs say they are under huge pressure from party members and constituents to take a firmer stance against the Israeli invasion of Gaza as tens of thousands are expected to take part in pro-Palestinian protests in London this weekend.
The prime minister, Rishi Sunak, confirmed yesterday that the protests would go ahead, backing the stance taken by the Metropolitan police commissioner, Mark Rowley, in his protracted and public row with the home secretary, Suella Braverman.
A Labour official said that party leaders were closely watching as many as 15 shadow ministers with high numbers of Muslim constituents for signs they were about to quit, following the resignation of Imran Hussain on Tuesday night.
None are understood to be in the shadow cabinet.
One Labour frontbencher told the Guardian: "My position has always been, the only way forward is a ceasefire. The pause [as advocated by Starmer] will not solve the problem. Someone needs to say enough is enough."
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