Lucy Powell wins Labour deputy leader contest weeks after being sacked by PM

Keir Starmer suffered another blow today as Lucy Powell was named as his new Labour deputy.Ms Powell - who was sacked from the Cabinet by the PM just last month - saw off Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson in the contest.The Manchester MP has vowed to speak her mind about the need for the party to change direction.She is a close ally of Andy Burnham - seen by some as a potential replacement for Sir Keir.The result comes amid mounting Labour panic about a collapse in public support and the threat from Reform.