Politics LIVE: Labour begins contest to elect Angela Rayner's replacement

Labour will formally begin its contest to elect a new deputy leader following the shock resignation of Angela Rayner. The party's National Executive Committee has agreed a timetable, with nominations opening on Tuesday.

MPs will begin voicing support for their preferred candidate and have until 5pm on Thursday to do so. Any MP hoping to replace Ms Rayner will need a whopping 80 backers before the knockout round starts. High-profile candidates who have already put their hat into the ring include Dame Emily Thornberry, who missed out on a Cabinet position last year despite serving in Sir Keir Starmer's shadow frontbench team.

Other potential candidates include former transport secretary Louise Haigh, Lucy Powell, Stella Creasy, Sarah Owen, Anneliese Dodds, Dawn Butler, Meg Hillier, and candidates from the hard-Left such as Richard Burgon and Nadia Whittome.

Follow the day's updates below.