Labour warned more MPs 'thinking hard' about futures

More Labour MPs could quit the party unless it listens to their concerns, Jeremy Corbyn has been warned.

Following the decision of seven Labour MPs to walk out on Monday, colleagues expressed anger with the leadership during a "tense" meeting in Parliament.

Corbyn-critic Ian Austin said others would "think hard" about leaving unless it fixed its anti-Semitism problem.

The BBC reported that two Tory MPs are thinking about joining the ex-Labour MPs' independent group in Parliament.

The BBC's political editor Laura Kuenssberg said a small number of Conservatives were considering their futures amid unhappiness over the government's Brexit policy.

Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Angela Smith, Mike Gapes, Gavin Shuker and Ann Coffey quit Labour's ranks in protest at what they said was a culture of "bullying and bigotry" in the party and frustration over the leadership's reluctance to back another EU referendum.

The seven are not launching a new political party but have urged other Labour MPs - and members of other parties - to join them in "building a new politics".

Their departures have provoked a mixed reaction at the top of the party, with Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell saying they should stand down and allow by-elections in their constituencies.

But deputy leader Tom Watson said the move was a wake-up call for the party. He condemned those on the "hard left" who he said were celebrating their exit, saying he "sometimes no longer recognised" the party.

Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray told the BBC he was sticking with Labour but "may change his mind" unless the party responded to concerns about its culture and direction.

Speaking after a Labour meeting in Westminster - addressed by party chairman Ian Lavery - Mr Austin said Labour must act to stop more MPs jumping ship.

Mr Austin said Mr Lavery had failed to "demonstrate the leadership" and "understand the scale of the problem we have" with anti-Semitism within its ranks.

"If that is the best the leadership can do, I can see more people taking the same course of action," he said.

"I think it will result in people thinking long and hard about their position in the party."