Lucy Powell has become Labour's deputy leader. Lucy North/PA Wire

Lucy Powell, the former House of Commons leader who was kicked out of the government in a ministerial reshuffle last month, has been elected Labour’s deputy leader.

Powell beat education secretary Bridget Phillipson in the contest as she received 87,407 votes.

Phillipson received 73,536 votes in the election, representing 46 per cent of the voter share.

The position had been vacant since Angela Rayner resigned after it was found she had not paid the right amount of tax on new property she bought.

Powell’s election adds another layer of controversy within Keir Starmer’s government, given she is seen as a more left-leaning MP in the Labour Party.

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