Jeremy Corbyn’s most influential supporter in Scotland has chastised MPs who have “deserted” Labour by rebelling against the UK leader.
Neil Findlay’s scathing intervention came as Owen Smith, a contender for the top job, promised to rewrite the party’s constitution to put tackling inequality at the heart of its mission.
Lothians MSP Mr Findlay, who publicly defied Scottish leader Kezia Dugdale by undermining comments she made about Mr Corbyn, attacked MPs who took part in a mass resignation from the shadow cabinet.
He said: “At a time when we have had the Tory Party on the ropes, the Prime Minister resigned, we should have been in there, putting the boot into the Tory Party, finishing them off.
“Instead, the parliamentary party turned in on itself and I think that’s hugely regrettable.”
In a BBC interview, Shadow Education Secretary Angela Raynor refused seven times to commit to voting for Mr Corbyn in the leadership election.
But Mr Findlay said: “I have great admiration for Angela Raynor because she stepped up to the plate and served, unlike some others who deserted and I think it’s great credit to people like that.”
He then made a plea for unity, no matter who wins the contest. Around 200 people gathered to back Mr Corbyn at the STUC in Glasgow on Sunday, with Mr Findlay saying the meeting was “buzzing with ideas and enthusiasm”.
Meanwhile, launching his bid to replace Mr Corbyn, Mr Smith evoked Tony Blair’s “Clause IV moment” – when the former prime minister amended the passage to remove its historic commitment to mass nationalisation.
The former shadow work and pensions secretary also backed Mr Corbyn’s call for a war powers act to give MPs in Parliament a legal veto over any decision to go to war.
Mr Smith repeatedly praised Mr Corbyn’s influence on the party but spoke of the need to create a “radical but credible” movement.
"Our party cannot split…we are the people's party" – Labour's @OwenSmith_MP https://t.co/slOCKdj5NP https://t.co/tcAY5misP8
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) July 17, 2016
Earlier, he indicated he would bow out of the leadership race if fellow challenger Angela Eagle won the most support in the parliamentary Labour Party (PLP), to give her the best shot of toppling Mr Corbyn.
Ms Eagle refused to sign up to the idea.
