Keir Starmer has been accused of trying to 'fix' the Labour deputy leadership contest as he scrambles to avoid a civil war in the wake of Angela Rayner's departure.
The party's ruling NEC has thrashed out the process for deciding a successor to Ms Rayner.
Tensions are already running high, with the Left eager to use the job as a platform to influence policy, and demands that a woman from a non-London constituency be installed.
Under the timetable, hopefuls would need to get 80 nominations from MPs by 5pm on Thursday.
The candidates would then go to a ballot of members, with the winner named by the end of October. Downing Street is keen for the issue to be resolved well before the crucial Budget on November 26.
