BREAKING: Bridget Phillipson and Lucy Powell to go head-to-head to replace Angela Rayner

Bridget Phillipson and Lucy Powell will go head-to-head in the contest to replace Angela Rayner as Labour's deputy leader.

On Thursday evening Ms Powell - who was sacked as Commons leader by Keir Starmer during last week's reshuffle - crossed the threshold of 80 MP backers.

The Education Secretary Ms Phillipson, a loyal supporter of the Prime Minister, became the first candidate on Wednesday to win enough support.

But the left-wing MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy was knocked out of the contest. She posted on X: "Unfortunately, I have not secured the high number of nominations required to proceed in the deputy leadership contest. I am disappointed that the full range of Labour members' views will not be represented on the ballot paper."

Earlier Thursday the senior Labour MP Dame Emily Thornberry pulled out of the contest after securing just 13 nominations.

She said: "I'm deeply grateful to all the Labour members who have shared their support. But I have decided to withdraw. But I have decided to withdraw.

"It has been a privilege to take part in this race with such brilliant women. I will always be committed to this party and do everything I can to make it successful."

Liverpool Wavertree MP Paula Barker also withdrew on Thursday and threw her support behind Ms Powell who could be a "constructive friend" to the government.

She added: "The next deputy leader must listen to the concerns of every section of our party and not be afraid to bring those challenges to the government.

"Being a good team doesn't mean we can't be honest - criticism of government, when it's constructive, makes us stronger."

In the coming weeks Ms Powell and Ms Phillipson will need to gain the backing from either three of Labour's affiliate organisations, including two trade unions, or 5% of constituency parties across the country.

That process will continue until September 27, meaning a contested election threatens to overshadow the party's annual conference that begins in Liverpool the next day.

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