For Labour's new leader Jeremy Corbyn, it was a tricky first day at the office.

Having pulled out of a television appearance at the weekend on the Andrew Marr show all eyes were on him as he appeared on the opposition front benches at Westminster for the first time since his election.

A bumpy ride was forecast by MP Chris Bryant, one of the few shadow ministers who has not resigned and will now serve as shadow leader of the house.

That immediately became apparent as Mr Corbyn's shadow cabinet came under fire for the lack of women in the top jobs. He later appointed Angela Eagle first secretary of state, on top of her job as shadow business secretary, to take the heat off.

One of his aides was overheard admitting that the move was reactive because "we are taking a fair amount of s**t" over the gender issue. This added an extra sense of chaos which the Corbyn camp could surely do without. But Mr Corbyn's shadow cabinet is more than half women and his argument was already reasonable: He says it is old-fashioned to view shadow home secretary, chancellor and foreign secretary as the most important jobs, with health and education (both given to women) less important, He has a case.

Mr Corbyn's media management is looking shaky though. He will have to get used to overheard conversations being reported, for example - although David Cameron is still making that mistake, most notably with his gaffe about Yorkshire rivalries. He cannot adopt a fortress mentality and attempt to ignore a largely hostile media.

He will also have to deal with relentless pressure relating to his suitability for the job, as a Tory attack ad yesterday made clear. Yesterday's video painted him danger to national security. The next one characterising him as a danger to economic security will not be far behind.

His first day also saw the Conservatives bringing forward the Trade Union Bill, which Labour opposes. Mr Corbyn's opposition will be seen by some as confirming his hard left credentials. But it is worth noting that some of the bill's critics are far from extremists. Former business secretary Vince Cable has called it vindictive, counterproductive and ideologically driven. MP David Davis, a former Conservative Party chairman says elements of it are reminiscent of Franco's Spain. Sitting next to Mr Corbyn, Ms Eagle led Labour's attack.

Mr Corbyn's difficult day concluded with a cool reception at his first meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party - unsurprisingly given that the majority of Labour MPs had backed one of his rivals for the leadership. However he appeared last night to have survived it and talk of a coup has receded for now.

His first big parliamentary test will come tomorrow at Prime Minister's Questions. He has promised to crowdsource posers to put to David Cameron. Is this reckless barminess or a refreshing approach to a bearpit tradition which voters increasingly dislike? Perhaps it is both.

One thing is certain - there will be few days ahead which are not a challenge for the new Labour leader.