Richard Leonard has warned seven MPs in England who quit the Labour party that they risk "walking into a political wilderness".

The Scottish Labour leader said he was "disappointed" at the split but insisted it would make the party "more and more determined" to bring about change.

He urged party colleagues across the UK to stick with Labour in order to provide an alternative to the Conservative government.

Leonard spoke out after the group of seven - Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Angela Smith, Gavin Shuker, Mike Gapes, Ann Coffey and Chuka Umunna - announced their resignations at a press conference in London on Monday.

They cited Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour leadership's handling of Brexit and anti-Semitism complaints among the reasons for their departure.

Leonard's predecessor as Scottish party leader, Kezia Dugdale, earlier called the events "very sad" and added: "I hope the leadership are listening."

The seven breakaway MPs have formed a new parliamentary grouping called The Independent Group, with a mission statement on its website which slams their former party.

It charges Labour with pursuing policies that accept "the narratives of states hostile to our country" and failing to "take a lead in addressing the challenge of Brexit".

Speaking to STV News, Leonard reiterated Corbyn's comments expressing disappointment at the divide.

He said: "I'm disappointed that these MPs have chosen to leave the Labour party; that's a matter of regret.

"But I think it's a reminder that in the end it's the Labour party that has always been the party that has delivered change for people and I think people are crying out for change.

"So my call to everybody who is in the Labour party, MPs, MSPs, all members, is to stick with the Labour party if you want to see change in this country."

On the breakaway MPs, he added: "They've described their own reasons for leaving, that's a matter for them and their consciences.

"I think that they are in danger of walking into a political wilderness and I think that's a matter of regret which they may come to reflect upon in time.

"But of course it's a day for the Labour party to reflect as well and if MPs leave the party that's a matter for us to consider and understand the reasons for it.

"But I think it makes us more and more determined to redouble our efforts to bring about the change that I think people are looking for."

The Scottish Labour leader also played down the chances of a similar split within his own ranks.

He told STV: "The Labour party has always been a broad church and the Scottish Labour party is a broad church.

"Under my leadership I aim to make sure it remains a broad church.

"There are a range of views on Brexit, there are a range of views on how we should tackle some of the big issues of the day...

"But I want to see a Labour party which is united and determined to solve these great problems and show there is an alternative to what is happening at the moment."

But Dugdale, who quit as Scottish Labour leader in August 2017, urged the Labour leadership to listen and not just to "shout 'good riddance'".

She told STV News: "I'm just very sad to see people leave the Labour party, it's a big part of your individual identity.

"I think it's bad news for the party because we win when we're a broad church. The history of our success tells us that.

"So, I'm genuinely very sad and I hope the leadership are listening.

"I hope the last thing they do is shout 'good riddance' because that's not going to achieve the goal we all want to see which is the Tories out of office and a Labour government in its place."

The SNP's Westminster leader Ian Blackford said the resignations will "strengthen Theresa May" and show the Labour party is "not fit for purpose".