Coronavirus: Jeremy Corbyn's successor to be announced at scaled back event as party postpones and alters meetings due to Covid-19

Labour said on Thursday that the final leadership hustings of the race was being cancelled, while the party's Welsh conference and Scottish women's conference were being postponed.

The party said the "well-being of our members and staff", and contributing to the "collective effort to protect public health" were behind the decision.

The winner of the race between Sir Keir Starmer, Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy will still be announced on April 4 as planned, but it will no longer be at a "special conference".

Labour's decision was announced shortly after the UK moved onto the next stage of its response to Covid-19, with potential restrictions being imposed to delay the spread of the disease.

A Labour spokeswoman said: "In light of the spread of coronavirus, Labour has cancelled the leadership elections special conference scheduled for April 4.

"The results of the leadership and deputy leadership elections will be announced at a scaled back event on the same date and we are now considering options for what form that event will take.

"This is not a decision we have taken lightly. Our priority is the well-being of our members and staff, and ensuring we fully contribute to the collective effort to protect public health."

The final hustings was due to take place in Tottenham, north London, on Saturday and focus on black, Asian and minority ethnic issues (Bame).

Party officials were also considering whether constituency meetings should go ahead.