Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has described the resignation of seven MPs from the Labour Party as “desperately sad” – but says a split will only lead to a continued Tory government.

Earlier today seven MPs resigned from the Labour Party in protest at Jeremy Corbyn’s approach to Brexit and anti-Semitism.

These MPs are: Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Angela Smith, Mike Gapes, Gavin Shuker and Ann Coffey.

Mr Khan said: “This is a desperately sad day. These seven MPs are all friends of mine. I served alongside them in Parliament.

“I agree that the only way through the mess of Brexit is to give the public the final say, and that the Labour Party needs to do much more to root out the evil of anti-Semitism.

“However, history clearly shows that the only way to get real change in our society – whether fighting for a public vote, tackling inequality, or ending austerity – is within the Labour Party.

“When the Labour Party splits it only leads to one outcome – a Tory government – and that means a hard Tory Brexit.”

The MPs who resigned will not be launching a new political party but sitting in Parliament as the Independent Group.

Keith Prince, Conservative London Assembly member for Havering and Redbridge, spoke out on the resignation of MP Mike Gapes.

Mike Gapes has represented Ilford South since 1993 but resigned from the Labour party saying he is “sickened” by how it is perceived as a “racist party”.

Mr Prince said: “Congratulations to Mike Gapes for leaving Corbyn’s Labour Party. I disagree with Mike on a number of issues, but I’ve always had the utmost respect for his political integrity. It will be interesting to see how many other Labour politicians have the same level of integrity.”