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Brown on brink of leadership win Brown on brink of Downing Street
(20 minutes later)
Gordon Brown is just one nomination short of the amount needed to become the next Labour leader and prime minister without a contest. Gordon Brown is just one nomination short of becoming the next Labour leader and prime minister without a contest, BBC research suggests.
The latest figures show Mr Brown has 307 nominations while his sole rival, left-winger John McDonnell, has 29 - 16 short of the 45 backers required.The latest figures show Mr Brown has 307 nominations while his sole rival, left-winger John McDonnell, has 29 - 16 short of the 45 backers required.
Mr McDonnell has until 1230 BST on Thursday to reach 45, if he fails, Mr Brown will become leader unopposed.Mr McDonnell has until 1230 BST on Thursday to reach 45, if he fails, Mr Brown will become leader unopposed.
He would need all the remaining 16 MPs to back him, to reach that figure.He would need all the remaining 16 MPs to back him, to reach that figure.
Of the MPs yet to declare, the speaker cannot nominate and the deputy speaker, Sylvia Heal, has told the BBC she will not nominate anyone.
'Not conceding'
That leaves 16, including former home secretary Charles Clarke and former welfare reform minister and longstanding opponent of Mr Brown, Frank Field.
Mr McDonnell's spokesman told the BBC News website: "We are not conceding. There are still enough MPs undecided to see that there's a contest."Mr McDonnell's spokesman told the BBC News website: "We are not conceding. There are still enough MPs undecided to see that there's a contest."
I was interested in supporting a left candidate, but not at any price Labour MP Dai Havard Contender-by-contender Labour contest timetable Benn close to deputy race
He added: "We are still calling on MPs to ensure all the Labour Party members have a vote."
Earlier Mr McDonnell said he would "play until the whistle" to get sufficient support.Earlier Mr McDonnell said he would "play until the whistle" to get sufficient support.
But of the MPs yet to nominate, some have said they will back Mr Brown, while others that they will not vote at all.
DEPUTY CONTEST SUPPORT Hilary Benn - 42 MPsHazel Blears - 49 MPsJon Cruddas - 46 MPsPeter Hain - 50 MPsHarriet Harman - 63 MPs Alan Johnson - 70 MPs Benn short of backers
BBC research suggests once Mr Brown reaches 308 votes, there will not be sufficient backers remaining to allow Mr McDonnell to reach 45.
International Development Secretary Hilary Benn needs three more nominations to reach the 45 needed to enter the race to be deputy leader.
The other five contenders have already reached that threshold.
Mr McDonnell earlier made a "last-minute appeal" for support, admitting that "at the moment" it looked as if party members were going to be denied a choice between him and Mr Brown.Mr McDonnell earlier made a "last-minute appeal" for support, admitting that "at the moment" it looked as if party members were going to be denied a choice between him and Mr Brown.
I'm going out to get as many nominations as possible because I believe that is what someone who's putting their name forward for leadership should do Gordon Brown class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/5237874.stm">Contender-by-contender class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6457597.stm">Labour contest timetable Party ballot
He told MPs: "Year in year out we rely on Labour Party members to deliver our leaflets, knock on doors, and fund the party with their small subscriptions and yet they will be excluded from participating in this election unless Labour MPs nominate me in the next 24 hours."He told MPs: "Year in year out we rely on Labour Party members to deliver our leaflets, knock on doors, and fund the party with their small subscriptions and yet they will be excluded from participating in this election unless Labour MPs nominate me in the next 24 hours."
'Trading process'
Candidates who get 45 or more nominations go to a ballot of party members, trade unionists and Labour MPs and European Parliament members.Candidates who get 45 or more nominations go to a ballot of party members, trade unionists and Labour MPs and European Parliament members.
Among Labour MPs who have not yet nominated a leadership candidate is Dai Havard, MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney.Among Labour MPs who have not yet nominated a leadership candidate is Dai Havard, MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney.
DEPUTY CONTEST SUPPORT Hilary Benn - 42 MPsHazel Blears - 49 MPsJon Cruddas - 46 MPsPeter Hain - 50 MPsHarriet Harman - 63 MPs Alan Johnson - 70 MPs
He told BBC Radio 4's World at One programme he was unhappy by what he called the "trading process" between the McDonnell camp and deputy leadership hopeful Hilary Benn's camp.He told BBC Radio 4's World at One programme he was unhappy by what he called the "trading process" between the McDonnell camp and deputy leadership hopeful Hilary Benn's camp.
"I was interested in supporting a left candidate, but not at any price," he said."I was interested in supporting a left candidate, but not at any price," he said.
He had intended to back Michael Meacher, the other potential left-wing candidate, who stood aside so he and Mr McDonnell could pool their support.He had intended to back Michael Meacher, the other potential left-wing candidate, who stood aside so he and Mr McDonnell could pool their support.
But Mr Havard added: "I'm not a stage army to be wheeled on and off by anybody, frankly. I'll make my own decisions."But Mr Havard added: "I'm not a stage army to be wheeled on and off by anybody, frankly. I'll make my own decisions."
In the deputy leadership contest, in which there are six candidates, only International Development Secretary Hilary Benn - with 42 nominations - has yet to get through to the national ballot.In the deputy leadership contest, in which there are six candidates, only International Development Secretary Hilary Benn - with 42 nominations - has yet to get through to the national ballot.
Backbencher Jon Cruddas, Education Secretary Alan Johnson, Justice Minister Harriet Harman, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain and Labour chairman Hazel Blears have all got through.Backbencher Jon Cruddas, Education Secretary Alan Johnson, Justice Minister Harriet Harman, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain and Labour chairman Hazel Blears have all got through.
It is thought 38 Labour MPs have yet to nominate a deputy leadership contender.It is thought 38 Labour MPs have yet to nominate a deputy leadership contender.
Those candidates who make it on to either ballot paper will take part in 10 hustings around the country ahead of a special conference in Manchester on 24 June, when the new leader and deputy leader will be named.Those candidates who make it on to either ballot paper will take part in 10 hustings around the country ahead of a special conference in Manchester on 24 June, when the new leader and deputy leader will be named.
Mr Blair and deputy Labour leader John Prescott will hand over on 27 June.Mr Blair and deputy Labour leader John Prescott will hand over on 27 June.