Angela Rayner will "not be played like a pawn," a source close to the former deputy prime minister has said, after claims of a mooted deal for her and Wes Streeting to run for the Labour leadership.The source said "there is no vacancy and there is no pact", after the Telegraph reported that allies of the Health Secretary were pressing her to sign up to a "joint ticket" for the top job.

Angela Rayner will "not be played like a pawn," a source close to the former deputy prime minister has said, after claims of a mooted deal for her and Wes Streeting to run for the Labour leadership.The source said "there is no vacancy and there is no pact", after the Telegraph reported that allies of the Health Secretary were pressing her to sign up to a "joint ticket" for the top job.