Bridget Phillipson has emerged as the early frontrunner in the Labour deputy leadership race as other candidates scramble to catch up ahead of a crunch deadline.

The education secretary had the backing of 44 colleagues as of 6pm on Tuesday, according to the first official tally released by the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) since nominations opened.

Former Commons leader Lucy Powell, who was sacked by Sir Keir Starmer in his reshuffle last week , is close behind with 35, followed by backbenchers Bell Ribeiro-Addy with eight, Dame Emily Thornberry with seven and Paula Barker with three.

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