Pat McFadden re-assured by Corbyn's Europe promise

Wolverhampton South East MP Mr McFadden has been serving as the party's shadow Europe minister but five days after Mr Corbyn's victory had not been told whether or not he was still in the job.

The Blairite MP has been vocal about the need for Labour to campaign to stay in the European Union.

And the neighbouring MP for Wolverhampton North East, Emma Reynolds, did not try to keep her post as shadow local government secretary because of policy disagreements with Mr Corbyn including wanting a commitment to stay in the EU.

Mr McFadden said: "I welcome the statement Jeremy Corbyn gave that he does not see Labour campaigning to leave.

"For our economy and trading relationships, based on common values, we need to be in the EU."

Speculation has been rife that Mr Corbyn would campaign to leave the EU in the upcoming referendum, set to take place by the end of 2017.

He said if David Cameron's new deal with the EU involved unacceptable measures, Labour would 'say we have to stay in Europe to change those policies' - which would form a manifesto commitment for the general election.

He said: "We are having discussions to sort this question out. Basically, on the question of Europe I want to see a social Europe, a cohesive Europe, a coherent Europe, not a free market Europe.

"That is a developing position. It is not a problem, we have had that discussion, we are continuing that discussion, there will be very clear statements coming out in the very near future."

Asked if he could envisage a situation where Labour campaigned for a British exit he said: "No, I don't see that position because I think we are going to be working with trade unions and social groups all across Europe as well as social groups in this country.

"I see the way forward as how we develop the idea of a social Europe. What I was opposed to and remain opposed to is the idea that David Cameron could go around Europe and give up workers' rights, give up environmental protection, give up a whole lot of things that are very important."

If the Prime Minister's deal was unacceptable, he said: "What I would do is strongly oppose what Cameron has done and say we have to stay in Europe to change those policies and that would be a manifesto commitment up to 2020. But we are working this position out at the moment."