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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Johnson backing Brown for leader | Johnson backing Brown for leader |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Education Secretary Alan Johnson has stepped aside from the race for the Labour leadership, saying he will support Chancellor Gordon Brown. | Education Secretary Alan Johnson has stepped aside from the race for the Labour leadership, saying he will support Chancellor Gordon Brown. |
| Mr Johnson had been seen as a possible Blairite contender to take on Mr Brown, who is the overwhelming favourite. | Mr Johnson had been seen as a possible Blairite contender to take on Mr Brown, who is the overwhelming favourite. |
| The ex-postman told the BBC he intends to instead stand for deputy leader. | The ex-postman told the BBC he intends to instead stand for deputy leader. |
| The only other candidate to officially declare that he will run for the job, when Tony Blair quits within the next year, is left-wing MP John McDonnell. | The only other candidate to officially declare that he will run for the job, when Tony Blair quits within the next year, is left-wing MP John McDonnell. |
| 'Towering political figure' | 'Towering political figure' |
| Mr Johnson broke the news of his decision to BBC political editor Nick Robinson, saying Mr Brown was respected throughout the party. | Mr Johnson broke the news of his decision to BBC political editor Nick Robinson, saying Mr Brown was respected throughout the party. |
| "It is, of course, a matter for the party to decide who the leader's going to be, but my view is Gordon is a towering political figure," he said. | "It is, of course, a matter for the party to decide who the leader's going to be, but my view is Gordon is a towering political figure," he said. |
| "It's not a position that I ever sought and there is a superb candidate in Gordon Brown." | "It's not a position that I ever sought and there is a superb candidate in Gordon Brown." |
| He said as a deputy leader he hoped to "complement, help, cajole and assist" the party leader and occasionally tell them what they do not want to hear. | He said as a deputy leader he hoped to "complement, help, cajole and assist" the party leader and occasionally tell them what they do not want to hear. |
| "I think that's an important role and that's one I want to put myself forward for." | |
| Odds lengthened | Odds lengthened |
| Mr Johnson is expected to formally announce his candidacy for the deputy job on Friday. | Mr Johnson is expected to formally announce his candidacy for the deputy job on Friday. |
| He says he already has more than the required 44 supporters to be nominated for that contest. | He says he already has more than the required 44 supporters to be nominated for that contest. |
| A battle for the Labour leadership seemed certain after Mr Blair announced in September that he would leave Downing Street within a year. | A battle for the Labour leadership seemed certain after Mr Blair announced in September that he would leave Downing Street within a year. |
| But despite speculation that Mr Johnson, or Home Secretary John Reid would mount a bid from the Blairite wing of the party, the odds of a heavyweight challenge to Mr Brown have lengthened. | But despite speculation that Mr Johnson, or Home Secretary John Reid would mount a bid from the Blairite wing of the party, the odds of a heavyweight challenge to Mr Brown have lengthened. |
| But there is a "crowded field" of applicants for John Prescott's job - candidates for the deputy post also include Peter Hain, Hilary Benn, John Cruddas and Harriet Harman. | But there is a "crowded field" of applicants for John Prescott's job - candidates for the deputy post also include Peter Hain, Hilary Benn, John Cruddas and Harriet Harman. |