Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has told Ken Livingstone to apologise after he suggested shadow defence minister Kevan Jones should seek "psychiatric" help.

The former London mayor branded the MP, who has suffered from from depression, "disturbed" as a bitter row over Labour's defence policy erupted.

Mr Livingstone earlier repeatedly refused to apologise for attacking the shadow armed forces minister after he warned that putting the opponent of nuclear weapons in joint charge of a review to decide the party's position on Trident would "damage" Labour's credibility.

A spokesman for Mr Corbyn said: "Jeremy is incredibly concerned that people with mental health problems shouldn't be stigmatised. He has worked with Kevan in the past on this issue and is impressed by his bravery in speaking out on his own mental health issues. Ken should apologise to him straight away."

MPs raised concerns about the decision to put Mr Livingstone at the top of a policy commission on defence issues alongside shadow defence secretary Maria Eagle.

Mr Livingstone hit back at criticism from Mr Jones, who revealed his struggle with depression three years ago, telling the Mirror he should "pop off" to see his GP.

"I think he might need some psychiatric help. He's obviously very depressed and disturbed," he said.

"He should pop off and see his GP before he makes these offensive comments."

Mr Jones said the comments reinforced the stigma about mental illness and called on Mr Corbyn to "seriously consider" whether Mr Livingstone "is fit to represent the party".

He told the newspaper: "I find these comments gravely offensive, not just personally but also to the many thousands who suffer from mental illness.

"This is why Ken Livingstone can't be taken seriously in defence or any other policy issues.

"I and a lot of people will be very angry about such insensitive and stupid comments."

Labour shadow minister for mental health Luciana Berger said: "Mr Livingstone's comments are simply unacceptable and he should apologise without delay.

"An individual's mental health should never be the excuse for insults, jibes or political point-scoring. These comments should be treated as seriously as racism or sexism.

"Any reasonable person should be appalled, and I trust Mr Livingstone will retract his words straight away. We all need to tackle stigma and prejudice in the area of mental health."

Mr Livingstone insisted he would only say sorry to Mr Jones if he apologised first.

"If he apologises for criticising my ability to do this job," the former mayor said. "If he wants to apologise that is fine."

Asked whether he would have made the jibe if he had known Mr Jones's history of mental health trouble, Mr Livingstone replied: "Of course I wouldn't have done."

But pressed on whether that meant he would apologise, he said: "Don't wait for it."

Labour backbenchers took to Twitter to demand that Mr Livingstone retract his swipe.

John Woodock said the comments were "unacceptable" and he should "withdraw and say sorry".

"I only felt able to talk about my depression because @KevanJonesMP led the way. We mustn't let our party descend into tolerating this stuff," Mr Woodock wrote on Twitter.

Simon Danczuk, an outspoken critic of Mr Corbyn's leadership, tweeted: "@KevanJonesMP made it easier for me to talk, earlier this year, about how I suffered from depression. He's an inspiration."

But former MP George Galloway claimed Mr Livingstone was the victim of a witch-hunt.

He said: "The witch-hunt turns on Ken Livingstone. Tooth by tooth claw by claw they are trying to defang JC (Jeremy Corbyn). I defend Ken."