SENIOR Labour MP Dave Watts yesterday told Ed Miliband’s internal critics to “shut up” in the wake of a damaging outburst by Simon Danczuk.

Mr Watts, who was chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party until last month, challenged colleagues to close ranks ahead of the general election.

He told the Morning Star: “Anyone who says anything that unhelpful this close to an election is damaging the party and helping the Tories.

“If you haven’t got anything helpful to say — shut up.”

The influential MP spoke out after the Tories seized on comments made by Mr Danczuk in an interview with the New Statesman.

The Rochdale MP reportedly claimed that Mr Miliband would “cost me votes” because voters see him as “aloof” and would rather go for a pint with Tory PM David Cameron.

He said: “Any Labour politician that says to you they knock on a door and Ed Miliband is popular is telling lies. It’s just not true.

“If we’re having a straight conversation about this, he (Mr Miliband) has an image of being more of a toff than David Cameron. That’s how the public see it.”

Tory party chairman Grant Shapps used the comments to repeat claims that Mr Miliband was a “weak leader” and “just not up to the job.”

Mr Danczuk subsequently backpedalled in a series of panicked tweets, saying the interview “does not fully reflect my views.”

He wrote: “We all have off days. I’d had a very difficult day and was feeling emotional.

“I do not meet anyone on the doorstep who is enthusiastic about David Cameron. I want Ed Miliband in Downing Street.”

The Star has previously revealed how Mr Danczuk was the source of anonymous briefings against Mr Miliband given to right-wing newspapers.

In his latest rant, Mr Danzcuk also claimed that Labour has been hijacked by a “north London liberal elite.”

And he accused deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman of “doublespeak” that puts people off politics.

He said: “You know what they think, if you pardon the language: ‘What a fucking knob’.”

Asked whether Mr Danczuk would face disciplinary action, a Labour spokeswoman said: “Simon Danczuk has made clear the interview does not reflect his views.”