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Labour looks set to have a new leader by the end of March after party chiefs moved forward to nail down the timetable.

The party’s ruling body is now expected to meet on January 6 to agree crucial rules and the timetable for the contest to replace Jeremy Corbyn.

General Secretary Jennie Formby told colleagues that should mean the contest kicks off on January 7 - ending in March at Jeremy Corbyn’s request.

Despite calls to quit immediately Mr Corbyn has vowed to remain in post until there is a new leader - which will leave him facing PMQs against Boris Johnson.

Officers of the ruling body are set to meet tomorrow to agree a date for the full NEC meeting about the leadership contest.

But key elements - including whether to have one-time registered supporters or a “freeze date” - are only expected to be decided after Christmas.

In an email handed to the Mirror, the general secretary wrote: “In the meantime, you will have seen a lot of speculation about who will be setting the timetable for the leadership election.

“Just to be clear, this will be decided by the full NEC and NOT by NEC Officers.

“I can also advise that Jeremy has asked that the NEC start the process swiftly so a new leader may be elected by the end of March.”

In 2015, thousands of “registered supporters” paid a one-off £25 to vote with many backing Jeremy Corbyn. Although full members also backed Mr Corbyn, his critics claimed the system allowed outsiders to flood the leadership election unfairly.

The “freeze date” - the final cut off date someone can join Labour before getting a vote - will also be important.

The NEC attempted to set it six months before the 2016 leadership election but this was overturned by the Court of Appeal.

Centrists and Corbyn critics have urged disaffected former members to rejoin and cast their vote.

But one NEC source dismissed reports that 100,000 new centrist members could join.