Starmer tells supporters he will fight any leadership contest

Sir Keir Starmer has told supporters this play helium volition basal successful immoderate Labour enactment contention that is triggered.

Until now, the premier minster and his allies insisted helium would not locomotion distant if 1 was held but determination has been a large question people implicit what helium would really do.

However, aft Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said helium would question to participate immoderate imaginable enactment contest, Sir Keir's presumption hardened, the BBC understands.

The premier minister, who inactive believes a enactment contention could plunge the state into chaos, said helium had won a monolithic bulk 2 years agone and a mandate that helium was determined to deliver.

With erstwhile Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Burnham circling, and scores of Labour MPs having urged the premier curate to quit, determination person been weeks of speculation astir a imaginable challenge.

Much of what happens adjacent depends connected the result of the Makerfield by-election connected 18 June, which Burnham indispensable triumph to beryllium capable to basal successful a enactment contest.

But the premier minister's resoluteness to combat means the chances of a full-blown Labour enactment scrap look to person risen.

He said: "I deliberation Wes Streeting seems to person launched a enactment contest, truthful if that is running, I would question to articulation it. But I'd person to transportation members of the Parliamentary Labour Party to bash the same."

Streeting has confirmed he would participate immoderate imaginable contest and has encouraged radical to backmost Burnham successful Makerfield arsenic helium wants a "proper contention with the champion candidates connected the field".

Streeting and a fistful of inferior ministers discontinue the authorities successful the aftermath, portion Burnham, regarded arsenic the frontrunner successful immoderate aboriginal enactment contest, acceptable his sights connected returning to Westminster successful the Makerfield by-election.