BURY South MP Ivan Lewis has defended his refusal to back Jeremy Corbyn's vote of no confidence in the government.

Mr Lewis was re-elected as a Labour MP in 2017, but resigned from the party last month, citing concerns about anti-Semitism.

He had been suspended from the party at the time pending an investigation into sexual misconduct.

In his excoriating resignation letter, he launched a scathing attack on Mr Corbyn, and criticised his position on Brexit.

Now an independent MP, he was one of a number of former Labour MPs who abstained on the motion of no confidence in Theresa May's government this week.

Explaining why he refused to back the motion, Mr Lewis pointed to his former party's 'totally unclear' position on Brexit.

He added: "The last thing the country needs at this time is a General Election.

"MPs and all parties should be focused on coming together in the national interest and finding a sensible way forward on Brexit. That is why for the past couple of months I’ve been working with Labour and Tory MPs to come up with a pragmatic compromise on Brexit, Common Market 2.0. This would mean leaving the EU and its political workings while retaining a close trading relationship.

"Now the Government's deal has been rejected, I believe this is the only way forward which can secure a parliamentary majority.

"Our duty at this time is to lead and heal the country, not make serious divisions worse.

"The government has not covered itself in glory due to the Tory party’s irreconcilable differences over Europe. But it is also true that the Labour party’s position is totally unclear.

"Do they support a soft Brexit favoured by Jeremy Corbyn or a second referendum as favoured by the majority of party members?"