BURY South MP Ivan Lewis has left a key ministerial role after Labour welcomed a new leader.

Jeremy Corbyn was elected as Ed Miliband's replacement on Saturday with close to 60 per cent of the vote.

Mr Lewis became Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary in October 2013 and has played a pivotal role in uniting communities throughout the country, scrutinising the work of Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers.

The Northern Irish Parliament is currently undergoing a political crisis sparked by an IRA-linked murder, and Mr Lewis offered to temporarily remain in his role, but Mr Corbyn rejected the idea.

On Twitter, Mr Lewis said on Sunday: "Earlier today, I offered to remain as Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for the time being in the light of the current political crisis.

"I thought it was the right thing to do. Jeremy has decided to offer the role to someone else. I wish my successor well at this crucial time."

During the leadership campaign, Mr Lewis wrote to Bury Labour Party members and said: "Some of Mr Corbyn's stated political views are a cause for serious concern.

"At the least, he has shown very poor judgement in expressing support for, and failing to speak out against, people who have engaged not in legitimate criticism of Israeli governments, but in anti-Semitic rhetoric."

However, Mr Corbyn insisted he was proud to represent a multicultural constituency of people from all over the world, including Jews.