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Labour leadership contender Keir Starmer’s mother-in-law has died following an accident.

The shadow Brexit secretary’s was due to take part in hustings with other candidates in the battle to succeed Jeremy Corbyn on Saturday and Sunday.

A hustings event in Nottingham went ahead on Saturday with a representative standing in for Starmer.

His campaign manager Jenny Chapman said: “My thoughts and prayers are with Keir Starmer and his family.

“Keir’s mother-in-law died yesterday following an accident two weeks ago.

“Thank you to everyone for being so kind and supportive and for respecting his family’s privacy at this difficult time.”

Starmer pulled out of campaign events for a number of days in January after his mother-in-law was admitted to hospital following an accident.

At the time the shadow cabinet member thanked people for their “support and kindness” in what he said had been – and would continue to be – “a very difficult time”.

Polls have regularly been suggesting that Starmer is likely to come out on top in the leadership ballot in which he is pitted against Rebecca Long-Bailey, Emily Thornberry and Lisa Nandy.

The campaign result will be announced on April 4.