Two of Jeremy Corbyn’s key allies have not been selected for parliamentary seats under a fast-track process.
His political secretary Katy Clark – a former MP – pulled out of the contest for Leigh, the seat Andy Burnham is vacating, at the eleventh hour.
A local councillor close to Mr Burnham, Jo Platt, received the nomination.
Sam Tarry – a key figure in Mr Corbyn’s second leadership campaign – was also passed over for Hull West and Hessle, vacated by Alan Johnson.
Mr Corbyn’s former speechwriter David Prescott – the son of Lord Prescott – was also not selected for the seat.
The chairman of the local Labour party in Leigh, Wigan council leader Lord Smith, had threatened to relinquish his post in protest if Ms Clark had been “parachuted” in to the constituency.
These nominations could have significance beyond the next election.
