Harrow West MP Gareth Thomas is backing challenger Owen Smith for the leadership of the Labour Party.

The Pontypridd MP is challenging incumbent leader Jeremy Corbyn less than a year after he was overwhelmingly elected to the post.

Mr Thomas spoke proudly of Labour’s history, pointing to the creation of the NHS and the introduction of a minimum wage as particularly commendable achievements.

“We need to invest in our health service and our children’s education, and we need an economy that works for working people,” he said.

“I’m supporting Owen Smith to be the next leader of the Labour Party and to build the bold policy agenda that can win popular support to put our principles into practice.

“Owen is a proud and passionate Labour MP: someone with the radical ideas we need to take the fight to the Tories, and the credibility to take us back into government.

“With Owen we will have the policies, the principles and the passion to unite the Labour Party and take our movement forward into government.”

The leadership contest was triggered when a number of Corbyn’s frontbench team quit in opposition to the sacking of Hilary Benn in June.

Early challenger Angela Eagle pulled out of the race “in the interests of the party” in July, throwing her support behind Mr Smith.