MP candidates being interviewed

The candidates seeking to succeed Andy Burnham as Leigh MP are set to be interviewed in the next few hours.

By The Newsroom

Published 28th Apr 2017, 12:17 BST

Updated 9th May 2017, 18:53 BST

Four Labour candidates will be grilled in London today (Friday) by members of the party’s regional boards and National Executive Committee (NEC).

Wigan Council cabinet member Jo Platt is up against Katy Clark, a former MP and aide to party leader Jeremy Corbyn, former Bury North candidate James Frith and equality campaigner Emily Brothers.

The race to succeed Mr Burnham has already proved controversial, with council leader Lord Smith saying he would resign as chair of the Leigh Constituency Labour Party (CLP) if Ms Clark was parachuted in.

Ms Platt has attracted considerable local support from councillors and activists but Ms Clark is seeking a return to Parliament after previously losing her Scottish seat to the SNP.

A decision will be made later today.