TOM WATSON dismissed the prospect yesterday of “serious” politicians defecting to the Lib Dems as like “leaving the Beatles to join a Banana-rama tribute band.”

Labour’s new deputy leader said his party’s MPs would respect Jeremy Corbyn’s huge mandate to lead.

“I just ask them to show a little bit of respect and tolerance for him as a new leader assembling his team, he needs a bit of space and time to do that,” he told the Radio 4 Today programme.

“Our MPs have to understand they are part of a democratic party now that is going to change and we have to respect the mandate he has been given.”

Mr Watson conceded that he is “worried” about the level of sniping from MPs, adding there is “bound to be a bit of turbulence” as Mr Corbyn spelt out how he would manage the party.

“Give him a bit of space and time to lay out his stall,” he said. “It will take time but you will see a change of direction and you will be able to see what Jeremy Corbyn really stands for.”