LABOUR party leader Jeremy Corbyn has wished Copeland's outgoing MP "all the best in his future role", following his shock resignation.

Jamie Reed is stepping down to work as a head of development and community relations at Sellafield Ltd.

Since the news broke, there has been mixed reactions from community leaders.

Labour party leader Mr Corbyn released a statement saying he is sorry to hear Mr Reed is standing down.

He said: "Jamie has given great service to his party, his country and his constituency. He has been a powerful voice for rural and remote communities and served his community well, campaigning for additional flood defences and infrastructure for Cumbria.

"I wish him all the best in his future role.

"We now face a by-election and local party members will soon choose a candidate equally committed to Copeland and its people."

Mr Reed has been one of his party leader's most prominent critics.

Mayor of Copeland Mike Starkie has paid tribute to Mr Reed's time in office.

He said: "He has some good and lasting legacies, not least the special relationship between Copeland and Whitehall - and the memorandum of understanding."

This memorandum highlights different strategies and includes the formation of Copeland Community Fund, which has provided cash backing for many organisations.

Mr Starkie said: "He was instrumental with West Lakes Academy which is now of the best schools in the country, not just in Cumbria, and the building of the new hospital in Whitehaven.

"I think in his role at Sellafield he will be in a stronger place to continue to make a difference in the community than he was as an opposition MP."

News of Mr Reed's new role at Sellafield has come as no surprise to anti-nuclear campaigner Marianne Birkby, of Radiation Free Lakeland.

She said throughout his time as MP, Mr Reed has promoted the nuclear industry.

"If you broke him in half like a stick of rock, he'd have Sellafield right through it - and not in a good way," she said.

"It's scandalous what Jamie Reed has been promoting ever since he stepped into Sellafield the first time round."

And national Conservative Party chairman Patrick McLoughlin said: "We are sorry to see Jamie Reed leaving Parliament, but congratulate him on his new job, and what must have been a very difficult decision for him and his family.

"It is a sorry state of affairs when talented Members of Parliament like him no longer feel comfortable representing Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party – a divided party run by a leader who opposes Trident and wants to dismantle our Armed Forces.

"We look forward to the by-election, and the opportunity to set out how the Conservatives are building a country that works for everyone, not just the privileged few."