LABOUR MPs dismissed yesterday the prospects of an imminent challenge to Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of the party.

Reports in the right-wing media suggested that Mr Corbyn could face shadow cabinet resignations or even a leadership election if Labour performs poorly in Thursday’s elections in Scotland, Wales and English local authorities.

But the speculation was dismissed by Ian Wright, a backbench MP who supported Andy Burnham in Labour’s last leadership election, when asked about it on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

He said: “I think we will do well in London. In my constituency in Hartlepool we have got elections both in terms of the local council and police and crime commissioners — I hope we do well, the expectations are that we will.

“So I don’t think that question arises in the immediate short term.”

Shadow international development secretary Diane Abbott warned potential coup plotters on Sunday that they would lose by a record margin if they challenged Mr Corbyn.

Writing in today’s Morning Star, she urged parliamentary colleagues to give Mr Corbyn more credit for forcing the Tories into climbdowns on cuts to tax credits and disability benefits.

“All these achievements are in the face of the most concerted campaign of denigration any Labour leader has ever endured in such a short space of time,” she said.

And shadow chancellor John McDonnell hit back on Twitter, writing: “Media and right-wing dirty tricks and lies trying to divide me and Jeremy. They should know it only unites us even more & makes us stronger.”

Meanwhile Mr Corbyn was on the election campaign trail yesterday, addressing May bank holiday rallies in Rossendale and Burnley.

Labour also released an election broadcast in which Mr Corbyn urged voters to “send a message to David Cameron and his government” on Thursday.

“It’s become increasingly clear they simply cannot be trusted,” he says. “They certainly can’t be trusted to make sure the wealthy and richest pay their fair share of tax.”