UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn
UK Labour Party leader Jeremy CorbynReuters

Labour MPs challenging party chief Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership have received death threats over the past two days, with some party members turning to police with complaints of systematic harassment and verbal threats.

Corbyn recently lost an internal party vote of no confidence, with 172 Labour MPs voting against him, compared to just 40 who supported the party chief.

Despite the vote and the wave of resignations by shadow ministers, Corbyn has insisted he will remain in his position until replaced in a party primary.

“Women MPs have been subjected to the most vile stuff – we’re going to rape you, kill you. There have been people in tears today,” a source within the Labour Party told The Telegraph.

The office of Labour whip Vicky Foxcroft was shut down after a man called up, threatening to physically attack her “If she doesn’t support Corbyn.” The man then said he was on his way over, and hung up.

“My staff work hard to provide support for hundreds of my constituents,” said Foxcroft. “They don’t need this level of abuse and threatening behavior. Understandably, it has been quite a worrying time for them in recent weeks. I sincerely hope this is the last of the aggression they will have to receive.”

Former shadow minister Lucy Powell, who resigned in protest of Corbyn’s refusal to step down, received messages demanding she commit suicide.

Another Labour MP received messages threatening to kill family members, including the MP’s child.

The wave of threats against anti-Corbyn Labour MPs was warranted extra scrutiny from British police in the wake of the killing of MP Jo Cox two weeks ago.

Cox, an ardent advocate of Britain remaining in the EU and a prominent supporter of increased immigration by Syrian and Iraqi migrants, was shot and stabbed to death by Thomas Mair, a man with a history of mental illness and support for white supremacist organizations.