Anna Soubry, the leader of Change UK – The Independent Group for Change, has spoken out about former colleague Chuka Umunna. Both MPs left their parties, the Conservative Party and Labour Party to join Change UK. But, after the poor performance in the European elections, Mr Umunna left the party, before joining the Liberal Democrats.

Speaking about his decision, Ms Soubry told BBC’s World at One: “Chuka going to the Lib Dems, these are very heavy blows so soon.

“I am sorry, but you stick at something a bit longer than a couple of months.

“Especially when you have got had the courage to leave your own political party.

“When you have worked with somebody from a different political party, and you thought, this person has got so much to offer.

I am sorry, but you stick at something a bit longer than a couple of months

Anna Soubry

“I really believe this person is the future for our country. Quite a great double act I thought actually.

“I believed in him. He was a major reason I left my political party. I believed in this new project.

“It was like, we had a big disappointment and he was gone. That was not the person I thought he was.”

Both MPs left their parties in fury at the handling of Brexit, with Mr Umunna also frustrated with the way Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn had dealt with anti-Semitism claims in his party.

Just ten days after he left Change UK, Mr Umunna joined the Liberal Democrats, a party he was deeply critical of for their role in the Conservative and Lib Dem coalition between 2010-2015.

Commenting on his decision to join the Liberal Democrats, Mr Umunna said: “Labour and the Tories are committed to facilitating Brexit, and Brexit makes endless austerity virtually impossible.

“The Liberal Democrats are not – they were arguing for a People’s Vote and to remain in the EU from the very start.

“I am convinced the Liberal Democrats, as the spearhead of a broader, progressive movement in civil society, offer the best chance to improve the lives of those I represent, as well as countless other citizens in our country.”

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The Streatham MP was also appointed shadow Treasury and business spokesperson by the then leader of the party Sir Vince Cable.

Some MPs who moved to Change UK also left after the poor European election results earlier this year.

Heidi Allen, Luciana Berger, Gavin Shuker and Angela Smith broke away to form a new co-operative called The Independents. Sarah Wollaston also left the party to become an independent MP.

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