Jeremy Corbyn has big task, says Labour NI secretary Boyd Black

The secretary of the Labour Party in Northern Ireland, Boyd Black, has said new party leader Jeremy Corbyn has "a big task ahead".

Veteran left-wing MP Mr Corbyn was elected leader of the party by a landslide on Saturday.

Mr Corbyn, who began the contest as a rank outsider, saw off a challenge from frontbenchers Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall.

The Labour Party in Northern Ireland had backed Mr Burnham.

However, Mr Black said they would support the new leader.

"He has a big task ahead, both to keep the party united and to bring it to a point where it is a viable electoral force in 2020," he said.

"But Jeremy has an opportunity to revitalise the Labour Party and to make it more electable."

Mr Corbyn gained 251,417 or 59.5% of first preference votes - his nearest rival, Mr Burnham, got 19%.

Ms Cooper was third on 17% and Ms Kendall a distant fourth with 4.5% of the vote.

A total of 422,664 people cast a vote - a turnout of 76%. Former minister and Gordon Brown ally, Tom Watson, was elected deputy leader.

'Calm and mature leadership'

SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell congratulated Mr Corbyn on this election.

"The SDLP will work with the Labour Party to ensure progress and prosperity in Northern Ireland," he said.

"We now more than ever need calm and mature leadership to bring us through this current crisis."

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams described Mr Corbyn as "a friend of Ireland".

"I have known Jeremy for many years. He is a good friend of Ireland and of the Irish peace process," he said.

"I wish him well in his new and challenging role as leader of the British Labour Party and look forward to working with him in the time ahead to ensure that the gains of the peace process are built upon."