Lloyd Russell-Moyle: Labour frontbencher steps down over 'torrent of online hate' after JK Rowling row

Labour frontbencher Lloyd Russell-Moyle has stepped down from the shadow cabinet after saying he had been the victim of a “torrent of online hate”.

In a statement posted on Twitter, the MP for Brighton Kempton and Peacehaven said his position had become untenable “owing to a campaign by the right-wing media”.

Mr Russell-Moyle was recently forced to apologise after accusing author JK Rowling of using her experience of sexual assault as “justification” for discriminating against trans people.

He announced on Thursday that he had spoken to party leader Sir Keir Starmer and would no longer serve as Minister for the Natural Environment.

He wrote: "It is with regret that I leave the shadow ministry, but owing to a campaign by the right-wing media my position has become untenable.

"This has unleashed a torrent of online hate and daily calls of harassment to my office, which has exposed those who work for me to abuse that would not be acceptable in any workplace.

"It is my job to get political flack, but it is not the job of caseworkers, researchers and assistants to be attacked.

"It has also led to hounding and stress, from which I need a few weeks to support my team and myself to collectively recover."

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