Keir Starmer is facing the revenge of the sacked ministers in the Labour deputy leadership struggle.
Justin Madders - Angela Rayner's enforcer for the employment rights overhaul before being axed by the PM earlier this month - is chairing Lucy Powell's campaign.
Ms Powell was also removed as Commons Leader in the reshuffle, triggered when Ms Rayner quit over her tax affairs.
She will be battling Downing Street's de facto candidate, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, for the key party role.
As a backlash mounts against Sir Keir in the wake of the Lord Mandelson meltdown, the race is also being seen as a proxy contest between the premier and potential rival Andy Burnham. The Greater Manchester Mayor has indicated he supports Ms Powell for the deputy job.
