The Latest Breaking News from Lucy Powell

Kebatu was freed by mistake at HMP Chelmsford on Friday morning instead of being sent to an immigration detention centre

COMMENT: It could be that Keir Starmer is no good as either prime minister or party leader, but, John Rentoul argues, we ought to look back to the 1970s and consider another theory: that he has been asked to take on an impossible job

Lucy Powell said: ‘We must give a stronger sense of our purpose, whose side we are on and of our Labour values and beliefs.’

Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine have killed at least four people and wounded 16 others, according to local officials

Lucy Powell’s victory is likely to be seen as a call from the Labour membership for a change of direction amid growing unhappiness with Keir Starmer’s government

Lucy Powell has won Labour's deputy leadership election, having campaigned on a call for the party to change its course. Her victory could present difficulties for Sir Keir Starmer, as she will be able to speak out against government policies from the back benches. Powell was dismissed from Sir Keir's…

Lucy Powell beats Keir Starmer’s preferred candidate Bridget Phillipson in the contest to replace Angela Rayner as deputy leader

MP for Manchester Central had been seen as favourite ahead of rival Bridget Phillipson throughout contest

Powell, who was sacked from cabinet in September, says party must be ‘more principled and strategic, less tactical, and strongly guided by our values’

Labour’s struggles in the polls have already led to some questions among backbenchers about Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership of the party.

A survey of party members found 57% back the former Commons leader, against 40% supporting Bridget Phillipson.