Tom Watson: I WON'T be running in the Labour leadership contest
Tom Watson has ruled himself out of the Labour leadership contest, but admitted he has been trying to negotiate Jeremy Corbyn's departure.
Labour's deputy leader said it was 'inevitable' that Mr Corbyn's position would be challenged and described the current position of the Labour Party as 'a great tragedy'.
West Bromwich East MP Mr Watson had been considered a possible contender in the seemingly inevitable leadership battle.
But last night Mr Watson had decided not be put himself forward as a candidate in the contest, saying that 'the prerequisite for being a deputy is you never want to be leader'.
Mr Watson said: "I'd like to apologise to the country for the mess they are seeing in Westminster right now."
He added that he had spoken to Jeremy Corbyn yesterday to see if they could reach a 'negotiated settlement', but found the leader 'unwilling to move from his position'.
"I am assuming that he remains in office and that is where the situation stands," he added.
Mr Watson had previously kept his own counsel since racing back from Glastonbury on Sunday amid chaos within the party.
