One of Jeremy Corbyn’s closest allies Chris Williamson has resigned from Labour’s frontbench days after he called for council tax on expensive homes to be doubled.
The Shadow Fire Minister stepped down on Thursday amid a fierce backlash from Conservatives against his “Differential Progressive Council Tax” plans.
Under the proposals, tax would be hiked for better-off tax payers and frozen for the poorest.
Mr Williamson told the HuffPost UK: “I will be standing down from my role with immediate effect so that I can return to the backbenches, where I will be campaigning on a broader range of issues.
“I will continue to loyally support the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn from the backbenches and hope to be a voice for the party’s members.”
He was a prominent champion of the Labour leader, even after more than 100 Labour MPs called for Mr Corbyn to resign.
