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Meacher enters Labour leader race Meacher enters Labour leader race
(10 minutes later)
Veteran MP and former minister Michael Meacher is to announce he will challenge Gordon Brown for leadership of the Labour Party.Veteran MP and former minister Michael Meacher is to announce he will challenge Gordon Brown for leadership of the Labour Party.
The Oldham West MP, who is on the left of the party, had said there should be a contest when Tony Blair steps down.The Oldham West MP, who is on the left of the party, had said there should be a contest when Tony Blair steps down.
He has told the BBC he has more backing from MPs than fellow left-winger John McDonnell, who has been planning a leadership bid since last July.He has told the BBC he has more backing from MPs than fellow left-winger John McDonnell, who has been planning a leadership bid since last July.
Tony Blair and his deputy John Prescott will step down before next autumn.Tony Blair and his deputy John Prescott will step down before next autumn.
Mr Meacher, one of Labour's longest-serving MPs, was environment minister between 1997 and 2003, but has since been a vocal critic of the government.Mr Meacher, one of Labour's longest-serving MPs, was environment minister between 1997 and 2003, but has since been a vocal critic of the government.
'Proper debate''Proper debate'
He has criticised chancellor Gordon Brown, the favourite to take over from Mr Blair, for signalling he would renew Britain's nuclear weapons system.He has criticised chancellor Gordon Brown, the favourite to take over from Mr Blair, for signalling he would renew Britain's nuclear weapons system.
He has said there had to be " proper debate" about Trident, if not a referendum on the issue.He has said there had to be " proper debate" about Trident, if not a referendum on the issue.
And he has been an outspoken critic of British foreign policy, as well as a passionate campaigner for most robust action on climate change. And he has been an outspoken critic of British foreign policy, as well as a passionate campaigner for more robust action on climate change.
The chancellor is the favourite to succeed Mr BlairThe chancellor is the favourite to succeed Mr Blair
Mr Meacher has told the BBC he is confident he can get the backing of the 44 MPs needed to get on to the ballot.Mr Meacher has told the BBC he is confident he can get the backing of the 44 MPs needed to get on to the ballot.
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said some Labour MPs would welcome a contest and Gordon Brown himself might prefer a contest to a "coronation", as it would give his leadership more of a mandate.BBC political editor Nick Robinson said some Labour MPs would welcome a contest and Gordon Brown himself might prefer a contest to a "coronation", as it would give his leadership more of a mandate.
But he said the Conservatives were bound to use the news to argue that the Labour leadership - and deputy leadership - contests, represented a further move to the left for the party. But he said the Conservatives were bound to use the news to argue that the Labour leadership - and deputy leadership - contests represented a further move to the left for the party.
There has been speculation a senior figure from the Blairite wing of the party, such as Home Secretary John Reid or Environment Secretary David Miliband would mount a leadership bid.There has been speculation a senior figure from the Blairite wing of the party, such as Home Secretary John Reid or Environment Secretary David Miliband would mount a leadership bid.
But so far no heavyweight contender has emerged to challenge Mr Brown.But so far no heavyweight contender has emerged to challenge Mr Brown.
Candidates for the deputy leadership have been more forthcoming, with Mr Hain, Hilary Benn, John Cruddas, Alan Johnson and Harriet Harman have all declared their ambitions to take over from John Prescott.Candidates for the deputy leadership have been more forthcoming, with Mr Hain, Hilary Benn, John Cruddas, Alan Johnson and Harriet Harman have all declared their ambitions to take over from John Prescott.
Mr Meacher's spokesman said he would be making a statement on the leadership in Westminster at noon.Mr Meacher's spokesman said he would be making a statement on the leadership in Westminster at noon.