GETTY Jon Lansman has shockingly quit the race to become Labour’s next general secretary

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A source has reportedly claimed that Jon Lansman wanted to line up a female candidate to run against frontrunner Jennie Formby, but was unable to do so and therefore decided to step aside in a bid to ensure a woman would become the next general secretary. Ms Forby is the Unite-backed candidate in the race and is understood to have the support of both Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell. In a statement yesterday Mr Lansman wrote: “With two days until the deadline, I reiterate my call for Labour members, especially women, with talent and experience to consider submitting an application.” ”When I declared my interest in becoming Labour's general secretary my aims were to open up the contest, instigate a debate about how the Labour Party can develop and encourage those of our 570,000 members who believe they have the skills and experience to apply.

"With my aims fulfilled I have decided to step back from the race to focus on my role on the NEC, working with members and affiliates to replace the old top-down model with modern, open and transparent, pluralist participative democracy." In a later tweet, he added: "I always knew I was likely to lose to a woman, which was fine with me. I stood to open up the process and debate." Last night, there were claims that Laura Parker, another senior Momentum figure, could enter the race to become Labour general secretary before the Tuesday deadline. Mr Lansman also made his decision to step down amid controversy over how Ms Formby has close links to Unite boss Len McCluskey who himself has close links to senior figures in Mr Corbyn's office.

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The Momentum founder also made the shock decision to step down amid several anti-Semitic comments directed towards him, it has been reported. Anti-Semitic comments directed at Mr Lansman, who is Jewish, have come just months after he called for anti-Semitism must be stamped out despite “a lot of denials” that it exists While speaking at a Jewish cultural festival last year, Mr Lansman warned against anti-Jewish bigotry, ranging from “petty remarks about big noses” to accusations of “blood libel”.

GETTY Jennie Formby is understood to have the backing of Jeremy Corbyn

Mr Lansman told an audience in Birmingham: “There’s the kind of petty remarks about big noses, which are dreadful, completely unacceptable anti-Semitism. “People make petty xenophobic remarks and some are made against Jews. I don’t think there’s much of that in Labour.