Labour coup grinds to a halt as key plotter calls for more time to talk Jeremy Corbyn into resigning
Owen Smith said Jeremy Corbyn was going into negotiations with an 'open mind'
LABOUR’s leadership coup was put on ice today as one of the central plotters called for a ceasefire.
This morning ex shadow work and pensions secretary Owen Smith urged fellow schemers to lay down their knives as talks continue with Jeremy Corbyn to persuade him to step aside.
Angela Eagle, who is also said to be considering a challenge, is said to be in a “holding pattern” until talks with influential unionist Len McCluksey and deputy leader Tom Watson finish over the weekend.
Today Mr Smith said he had been asked by the unions to allow more time for further talks “to see what further progress can be made towards a resolution”.
“Jeremy has also reassured me that he is engaging in talks with an open mind,” he said in a written statement.
“I believe that all of us whose priority is to restore unity in the Labour movement and give us a chance to defeat our only true enemy, the Tories, should give these talks every chance to succeed.
“That is what I intend to do and I urge all my colleagues to do likewise.”
Unite general secretary Mr McCluskey told the BBC: "We are seeking time. We're asking people to give us time. There's no haste here, there's no rush for people to declare. So we're asking people to give us time to see what we can do."
One source close to the talks said talks of “progress” were “optimistic”. Another MP said suggestions that this was the end of the coup was “utter s****”.
An ally of Ms Eagle said: "Angela is ready to challenge and won't blink when the minute is right."
It has emerged that Mr Corbyn is travelling to Paris today for talks with socialist leaders from around Europe, meaning talks to persuade him to step aside will not be able to begin until tomorrow at the earliest.
The hard-left leader is under intense pressure to stand aside, but it has been claimed his top aides and key ally John McDonnell are blocking him from resigning.
Last week Mr Corbyn was hit by more than 65 frontbench resignations, a vote of no confidence from Labour MPs, every living former party leader calling for his head and calls from 500 Labour councillors and all of the party’s MEPs to step down.
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Ealrier this week he unveiled his new shadow cabinet, with some loyalists doubling up to take on up to three jobs and other posts left unfilled. He has the remaining support of up to 40 MPs within the party.
If Mr Corbyn decides to fight on and his name is included on the ballot paper he could win the contest for a second time, with a YouGov poll suggesting he would beat Ms Eagle by a margin of 50-40.
Talk of a splinter from the Labour party has been circulating around Westminster, but only among a few Labour MPs. Former leader Neil Kinnock told a meeting of Labour MPs: “I’m not leaving this party, it’s our party!”