Labour MP admits 'embarrassing' government shambles live on BBC Newsnight

A Labour MP has branded her own party "embarrassing" live on the BBC's flagship political show Newsnight after the sudden resignation of Labour whip Vicky Foxcroft yesterday (June 19). Foxcroft has resigned as a party whip over the government's plans to cut disability benefits, writing in a letter to prime minister Keir Starmer: "I wrestled with whether I should resign or remain in the government and fight for changes from within."

Foxcroft added: "Sadly it now seems that we are not going to get the changes I desperately wanted to see." Now fellow Labour MP Emily Thornberry has broken her silence on the situation, admitting the government shambles has been humiliating for the party.

Dame Emily, MP for Islington South and Finsbury, told the panel: "Well, obviously it's embarrassing to lose somebody who is as well respected and liked as Vicky, who's a government whip and who spent four years looking into and developing policy in relation to people with disabilities.

"She's concerned that the reforms that we need to make to the welfare system are not being properly addressed in this bill."

Viewers were divided over the segment on social media, with one fuming: "The word you're looking for is shameful Emily Thornberry and on every level. Demonising the vulnerable can never be justified!"

But another argued: "This resigning lark is absolutely pointless. You can't fight for your beliefs from the outside, politically naive." A third said: "Every Labour MP who does not protest this bill is a disgrace - 370,000 disabled people to lose support? Revolting."

Another viewer posted: "Vicky hasn't been lost to the Commons. She is still an elected MP and her opinions should still matter especially when you say her opinions are well respected and liked..."