New party leader Mr Leonard has also appointed another of their Central Scotland list colleagues to his genderbalanced front-bench team.

Mr Kinnock signalled his readiness to serve in Mr Corbyn's front-bench team, telling the BBC: "The electorate has told us very clearly that they want a Labour Party in Parliament holding this Government to account - we got our marching orders.

"Following a conversation between Kirsty Williams and Mick Bates they have agreed that he will be relieved of his front-bench duties and his chair of the sustainability committee whilst this matter is being investigated.

"We have achieved a historic second term and can now address the public service issues in which CIMA members will have an important role to play in health, schools and the police." Helena Cole, CIMA student and LibDem candidate for Havant, finished in third place behind front-bench Conservative spokesman David Willetts.

OPPOSITION MPs, including two front-bench spokesmen, yesterday lined up to support racing's concerns about a possible Tote sell-off, writes Howard Wright.

But Labour front-bench Northern Ireland spokesman Tony Worthington said: "The people of Manchester will find Temple-Morris's words hard to take."

A VETERAN Labour former minister has quit Jeremy Corbyn's front-bench team to take up a House of Commons role.

Power Hain Sitting next to the PM on the front-bench like a nodding bulldog was Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan.

STRAW SET TO STEP DOWN FROM FRONT-BENCH POLITICS JACK Straw is to step down from front-bench politics after 30 years.

His move came after Conservative leader David Cameron told his 96-strong front-bench team to declare more details of their expenses claims.

There was a further blow for Mr Kennedy as it emerged 11 of his front-bench colleagues had signed a letter demanding his resignation.

The party's gain of more than 500 council seats in England scuppered the bid led by front-bench spokesman Crispin Blunt.