Jeremy Corbyn unveils ‘unifying’ shadow cabinet team

Chris Bryant, the new shadow Commons leader, said he had been offered the job of shadow defence secretary but turned it down because he disagreed with Mr Corbyn “about a lot of defence issues”.

He predicted Mr Corbyn’s reign as Labour leader would be a “bumpy ride”, with many Labour MPs at odds.

But Mr Benn defended Mr Corbyn, who he said had won a “thumping” victory in the leadership election, but declined to say he backed the appointment of Mr McDonnell. Mr Benn and Mr Bryant both played down reports Mr Corbyn could back leaving the EU in the referendum promised by 2017.

The Labour leader has said he is not content with the EU as it stands, but wants to stay to fight for a “better Europe”.

Speaking on Monday, he said David Cameron must not be given a “blank cheque” to renegotiate whatever he liked and the changes he agreed – which will be put to a referendum by the end of 2017 – must be the “right ones”.