There were calls today for Black Country MP Tom Watson to take over as acting Labour leader.

Senior Labour MPs called on West Bromwich East MP Mr Watson, currently the deputy leader, to take over "to stabilise the party".

The plea came from two former members of Labour's front bench - who resigned as part of a co-ordinated attempt to force current party leader Jeremy Corbyn to stand down.

Lisa Nandy quit as shadow energy secretary and Owen Smith resigned from the work and pensions brief as the revolt against Mr Corbyn continued.

The pair told Mr Corbyn that a leadership contest was "inevitable" and called for Mr Watson to take temporary charge of the party.

In a joint statement, Ms Nandy and Mr Smith said: "The lack of confidence in the leadership goes beyond the small group of MPs who have consistently opposed Jeremy since his election.

"It has become clear that he is unable to form a broad, inclusive shadow cabinet that draws on the best of our movement's left and right traditions.

"For that reason we have told Jeremy that whilst the party holds a leadership contest - which is now inevitable - we believe Tom Watson ought to take over as a caretaker leader to stabilise the party and to enable us to play a full part as the official opposition in one of the most difficult periods this country has ever faced."

There are rumours at Westminster that Ms Nandy could herself be a future Labour leadership candidate, although she has never confirmed this.

Labour MP Lisa Nandy wants Tom Watson as a caretaker leader
Labour MP Lisa Nandy wants Tom Watson as a caretaker leader

The resignations follow the loss of 12 members of Mr Corbyn's top team on Sunday, with Hilary Benn sacked as shadow foreign secretary and 11 others quitting in protest at his leadership.

Mr Corbyn responded by appointing loyal MPs to key positions in an effort to shore up his position but the second wave of departures from his frontbench team underlined the scale of the challenge he faces.

The Labour leader held crisis talks with Mr Watson in Westminster where he was left in no doubt that he would face a challenge to his position.

Read more: Tom Watson tells Jeremy Corbyn he's lost the support of Labour MPs

The meeting between Mr Corbyn and Mr Watson was described as "civil" by a spokesman for the leader.

But a senior party source said Mr Corbyn was left in no doubt he had lost the support of the Parliamentary Labour Party.

The source said Mr Corbyn was told by Mr Watson that "it looks like we are moving towards a leadership election".

According to the source the deputy leader told Mr Corbyn he would have to decide whether he wanted to endure a "bruising" internal battle before the prospect of a "very tough general election".

The source said the final decision on Mr Corbyn's future was a matter for him.

A spokesman for Mr Corbyn said the leader was "categorically not" told to quit by Mr Watson.