Labour has formally endorsed Dan Jarvis’ candidacy for the Sheffield city region mayoral contest and decided he can remain an MP if he is elected next month.

It comes after the party's governing body ruled last month that its elected politicians should not hold more than one full-time public office, throwing Mr Jarvis’ position in the Commons into doubt.

But on Tuesday, a party source told The Independent the issue has been resolved and the former paratrooper will be allowed to keep his position as the Barnsley Central MP.

Before the decision was announced, the Yorkshire and Humber Parliamentary Labour group, which includes 36 MPs in the region, had written to John Cryer, chairman of the parliamentary party, asking the National Executive Committee (NEC) to “reconsider their position as a matter of urgency”.

In response to the decision, Mr Jarvis said: “I am honoured to be Labour's candidate for the Sheffield City Region mayoral election and I am looking forward to the campaign.

“This is an important role at a crucial moment and we must ensure that we elect a Labour mayor who will deliver a bold and radical plan for delivering real change for the people of South Yorkshire.”

Last month Mr Jarvis won the nomination for the candidacy over Ben Curran, who was endorsed by Momentum, with 58 per cent of the vote share.

He is the overwhelming favourite to win the contest in May, especially as all the 14 South Yorkshire constituencies which will take part election were won by Labour at the snap general election in 2017.