UK's Corbyn unveils 'unifying' shadow cabinet team

Jeremy Corbyn has unveiled what he called a "unifying" new shadow cabinet, naming his left-wing ally John McDonnell as shadow chancellor.

Defeated leadership rival Andy Burnham is shadow home secretary, while Hilary Benn remains shadow foreign secretary. The most senior roles on the Labour front bench are all taken by men, leading to criticism from some MPs.

But half of the total posts went to women, including shadow defence, education, business and health.

Angela Eagle, the new shadow business secretary, was also named shadow first secretary of state and will stand in for Corbyn at Prime Minister's Questions when Prime Minister David Cameron is away.

Her twin sister, Maria Eagle, has been made shadow defence secretary.

Corbyn said his new line-up was a "strong combination of change and continuity", adding: "We have delivered a unifying, dynamic, inclusive new shadow cabinet which for the first time ever has a majority of women."

The appointment of McDonnell, a close friend of Corbyn who managed his campaign, is proving controversial among some Labour MPs.

The Hayes and Harlington MP has previously faced criticism for telling a union event that he would "like to go back to the 1980s and assassinate Thatcher" and in 2003 said IRA terrorists should be "honoured" for taking part in their "armed struggle", while attending a gathering to commemorate the IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands.

He previously said a Corbyn government would pledge to clear the budget deficit, "but not by hitting the poor".

Chris Bryant, who is the new shadow Commons leader, told BBC News he had been offered the job of shadow defence secretary but turned it down because he disagreed with Corbyn "about a lot of defence issues".

He predicted Corbyn's reign as Labour leader would be "bumpy ride", with most Labour MPs at odds with those who voted in the leadership contest.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Benn defended Corbyn, who he said had won a "thumping" victory in the leadership election, but declined to say he backed the appointment of McDonnell.

"This is the choice that Jeremy has made. I respect the choice that Jeremy has made as leader," he said.