Shadow schools minister Margaret Greenwood has resigned as part of a rebellion against Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer over the so-called “spy cops” law.

The Labour leader ordered his MPs to abstain on the third reading of the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill.

But 34 MPs decided to oppose the legislation, including Ms Greenwood, who subsequently tendered her resignation over the issue.

Labour MPs quit shadow posts

In a letter to the party leader, ahead of the vote, Ms Greenwood wrote: “I intend to vote against the bill on a matter of principle. I cannot stand by and allow a bill to go through that will profoundly impact on our civil liberties and the environment in which individuals can get together to have their voices heard. I believe protecting our rights in this regard as a matter of fundamental importance.”

I have voted against the Covert Human Intelligence Sources bill and so have tendered my resignation from my position as Shadow Schools Minister. I wrote to Keir Starmer before the vote. I’d like to thank Keir for having given me the opportunity to serve on Labour’s front bench. pic.twitter.com/9BmfqhciHz

- Margaret Greenwood MP (@MGreenwoodWW) October 15, 2020

Dan Carden, MP for Liverpool Walton, also quit his post as a shadow Treasury minister so he could vote against the Bill.

Mr Carden said he voted against the bill as a “matter of conscience”, saying the legislation sets “dangerous new precedents” on the rule of law and civil liberties.

Ms Greenwood, MP for Wirral West, echoed those sentiments, while Navendu Mishra, Labour MP for Stockport, also resigned from his role as a parliamentary aide to the party’s deputy leader, Angela Rayner, ahead of the vote.

Former leader Jeremy Corbyn, ex-shadow chancellor John McDonnell and former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott also opposed the bill.