JEREMY Corbyn’s new Shadow Scottish Secretary is opposed to the funding deal that protects public spending north of the border.

Dave Anderson, who represents a seat in the north east of England, signed a motion calling for an “immediate review” of the Barnett formula.

He was shoehorned into the role to help try and ease pressure on the under fire Labour leader after MP Ian Murray resigned the Scotland brief.

That had left Corbyn in difficulty as Murray is Labour’s only MP in Scotland.

Corbyn turned to Anderson, the MP for Blaydon who sits on the Scottish Affairs committee at Westminster, to fill the vacancy.

However, Anderson has in the past backed a move that would cut public spending in the country he now speaks for in the shadow cabinet.

The Barnett Formula has ensured spending per head is higher in Scotland than in other parts of the UK.

It is a funding deal that is unpopular with MPs in the North of England, many of whom believe it is unfair.

In 2006, Anderson signed an Early Day Motion that attacked Barnett:

“That this House notes the decline in support within England for the union with Scotland; believes that a major cause of this is the operation of the Barnett formula; and calls on the Government to instigate an immediate review of this formula with a view to introducing a fairer method of distributing public expenditure between England and Scotland.”

On Twitter last week, Labour peer Lord Foulkes said of Anderson: “Dave is a nice guy but totally out of his depth.”

SNP MP Tommy Sheppard MP also attacked Anderson, saying: "Following the Brexit vote this just adds to the uncertainty facing Scotland.

"In recent weeks we have not only seen the Westminster parties' promise that a No vote would keep Scotland in the EU evaporate, but Tory leadership contenders threaten to tear up the fiscal framework agreement they only signed in February.

"It seems that even the new Shadow Scottish Secretary - whose sole job is supposed to be standing up for Scotland's interests - wants to slash Scotland's budget and force cuts to our public services. A ridiculous situation which puts the farce that is today's Labour Party into context.

"The Labour Party is utterly failing in its duty to be an effective official opposition to the Tory government. It must now stop the infighting, get a grip, and urgently clarify whether it is backing cuts to Scotland's budget or whether it will finally join the SNP in standing up for Scotland."

Corbyn still faces a leadership challenge, most likely from Labour MPs Angela Eagle or Owen Smith, after a wave of resignations over his leadership.

He suffered a brutal week with dozens of his Ministerial colleagues quitting over his performance.

Among them was Eagle, who tearfully quit as shadow First Secretary of State last week, and has been lobbied by colleagues about triggering a contest against Corbyn.

The leader is refusing to quit – citing his huge support amongst party members – but it is unclear whether he would be a candidate in any race.

The party rules are vague over whether the existing leader automatically gets a place on the ballot.

Eagle yesterday repeated her call for Corbyn to go, saying he should do the "right thing for the party and the country".

She said: "Let's face it, the country is in a crisis and we need strong opposition."

However, Eagle’s support for the Iraq war is expected to be a major handicap in any leadership contest.

Owen Smith, who was shadow work and pensions secretary until he resigned recently, is judged by some party sources to be more likely candidate than Eagle.

He only became an MP in 2010 and is not considered to have the same political baggage as Eagle.

Meanwhile, Corbyn faced further pressure after polling indicated more than half the members of Britain's biggest trade union want him to quit.

Around 49% of people signed up to Unite – Labour’s biggest trade union affiliate - want the Labour leader to go immediately, while a further 10% believe he should resign before the next general election.

However, Momentum, the grassroots movement that supports Corbyn, dismissed claims the leader could quit.

James Schneider, a national organiser, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The coup plotters are now flailing about because they have had 10 months to plot this coup and it seems like it has failed.

"Jeremy Corbyn has shown incredible steel in staying there and not falling, and staying there on behalf of the principle of democracy in the party."