LEFTY hopeful for Deputy Labour Leader Emily Thornberry bowed out of the contest today.

Her departure clears the way for a bruising two-horse race to succeed Angela Rayner in the prized role.

Three candidates remain in the running: Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, ex-Commons Leader Lucy Powell and hard-left backbencher Bell Ribeiro-Addy.

A fourth contender, Paula Barker, also quit this morning .

Downing Street favourite Ms Phillipson is out in front with 116 MP votes.

Ms Powell, backed by Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, trails with 77.

The ex-Cabinet Minister, axed by Sir Keir Starmer for under-performing, sparked uproar in May when she branded criticism of grooming gangs “dog whistle politics”.

In her farewell message, Ms Thornberry said: “I'm deeply grateful to all t

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