Emily Thornberry said it had been a 'privilege' to compete, but she was withdrawing.

Compressed timetable and worries about potentially toxic atmosphere narrows field to replace Angela Rayner

Thornberry joins Bridget Phillipson and Bell Ribeiro-Addy in having said she will stand

Education secretary and Manchester MP look destined for face-off as three other candidates struggle for MP nominations

Emily Thornberry said it had been a 'privilege' to compete, but she was withdrawing.

Former shadow attorney general withdraws from race after receiving 13 MP backers

MP’s withdrawal along with Paula Barker clears way for contest between Bridget Phillipson and Lucy Powell

Ms Phillipson, the Education Secretary, and Ms Powell, the former Commons Leader, are expected to go head-to-head in the next stage in the contest to replace Angela Rayner .

Education secretary and Manchester MP are only candidates to clear threshold to enter party members’ ballot