Tories have slammed the national Labour party for “prevalent and totally unacceptable racism”.

Yesterday morning seven Labour MPs, including Mike Gapes MP for Ilford South, announced their decision to splinter away from the national Labour Party.

The seven members have since set up a new party known as the Independent Group of MPs.

Mr Gapes blamed the party’s leadership for his resignation, saying he was “sickened” Labour had become “a racist and anti-Semitic party”.

The move led Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to criticise the MP’ decision.

Mr Corbyn said: “I am disappointed that these MPs have felt unable to continue to work together for the Labour policies that inspired millions at the last election and saw us increase our vote by the largest share since 1945.”

Labour Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, also reacted to the news with sadness.

He 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.”

Now Conservatives in Redbridge have reacted to the news, slamming Jeremy Corbyn.

Conservative group leader Cllr Linda Huggett said: “The Labour resignations and speeches have confirmed that the Labour Party has changed irreversibly under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn.

“I praise the courage of Ilford South MP Mike Gapes in resigning from the Labour Party in standing up for what he believes in.

"When Mike says “I am sickened that the Labour Party is now a racist, antisemitic party” we should all now fully realise that racism in the Labour Party is prevalent and totally unacceptable.

“I agree with Mike in that we must never allow Jeremy Corbyn to become Prime Minister. I hope that all Redbridge Labour Party Members now publicly distance themselves from Jeremy Corbyn.”