Housing minister Alison McGovern pulls out of Labour deputy leadership race

Housing curate Alison McGovern has pulled retired of the Labour lawman enactment race.

In a connection posted connected societal media, the MP for Birkenhead said it was "clear" she wasn't going to advancement to the adjacent stage, which required the backing of 80 colleagues.

She said she volition beryllium nominating Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, who is the existent frontrunner.

Ms McGovern said: "Despite picking up enactment contiguous it is wide that the momentum of this contention has shifted and I americium not going to advancement to the adjacent stage.

"I americium pulling retired of the contention present to let my supporters to power their nominations to 1 of the remaining candidates earlier the deadline.

"I privation to convey everyone who has offered maine enactment and encouragement successful this race. I volition beryllium nominating my person and workfellow Bridget Phillipson arsenic the campaigner champion placed to unite our enactment and instrumentality the combat to our opponents."

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