Corbyn faces leadership challenge

Jeremy Corbyn, the embattled chief of Britain's main opposition Labour Party, will finally face a leadership challenge after Angela Eagle yesterday announced she would stand against the veteran socialist.

Eagle announced her bid following the collapse of peace talks aimed at resolving the deep crisis surrounding Corbyn's leadership of the left-of-centre party.

"On Monday morning I will announce my candidature for leader of the Labour Party," she said.

Corbyn, who has lost the support of at least three quarters of Labour lawmakers, had "failed to fulfil his first and foremost duty, that is to lead an organised and effective Parliamentary Labour Party", said Eagle.

She said Labour under Corbyn could not hold the government to account or demonstrate it was ready to form a government itself in the event of a general election.

The party and the wider Labour movement backed Britain staying in the EU, but she and others blasted Corbyn for what they said was his lacklustre effort in persuading Labour voters.

2nd referendum rejected

Meanwhile, the British government yesterday formally rejected a petition signed by more than 4.125 million people calling for a second referendum on Britain's membership of the EU.

"We the undersigned call upon HM (Her Majesty's) government to implement a rule that if the remain or leave vote is less than 60 percent based a turnout less than 75 percent there should be another referendum," the petition said.

On June 23, on a 72 percent turnout, 52 percent (17.4 million people) voted in favour of Britain leaving the European Union. The referendum result triggered Cameron's resignation.