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A Labour leadership hustings hosted by the Mirror this Sunday has been postponed after Keir Starmer cancelled all campaigning this weekend.

Labour chiefs and this newspaper agreed to reschedule the event in Dudley - one of a series hosted by the party around the country - to a date on which Mr Starmer could take part.

A deputy leadership hustings due to be held tomorrow in the West Midlands town has also been postponed.

Mr Starmer’s mother in law remains in a critical condition in hospital following a serious accident a fortnight ago.

(Image: UK PARLIAMENT/AFP via Getty Imag)

The Holborn and St Pancras MP is among the favourites to take over from Jeremy Corbyn in April, in the contest against Rebecca Long-Bailey, Lisa Nandy and Emily Thornberry.

A Labour Party spokesman said: "All our thoughts are with Keir and his family. We are working with the Mirror on an alternative date and will give priority to members who had already signed up."

A spokesman for Mr Starmer said last night: “Since being admitted to hospital two weeks ago, Keir’s mother-in-law remains in a critical condition in intensive care.

“For this reason, he will be cancelling all campaign events this weekend and will be unable to attend hustings. We ask that his family’s privacy is respected at this time.”