"We do not believe a parliamentary by-election should be held at taxpayers’ expense to resolve tensions at the top of the Conservative Party.

"This is a phoney by-election that is completely unnecessary and the Labour Party will not be taking part in what is a political stunt.

"It is clear from the deal that he did with the leader of the Liberal Democrats before deciding to step down that David Davis was never serious about putting his seat at risk or staging a proper contest.

"The Labour Party is happy to spend every day until the next election debating with the Tory Party on 42 days and whether it is right to use CCTV and DNA evidence against criminals. But a phoney by-election is not the forum for these debates."