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One of the contenders to become Labour’s next general secretary has instead been given a senior post with Keir Starmer’s team, HuffPost UK can reveal.

Anneliese Midgley has been appointed as a senior special adviser to the Labour leader, with key responsibilities for developing engagement with party and trade union members.

Midgley is currently the political director of Unite the union and is a former key aide to both Ken Livingstone when he was Mayor of London and Jeremy Corbyn when he first became leader.

Considered a front runner in the race to become the party’s next general secretary, she opted not to apply for the post in recent days but won widespread praise from Labour MPs including former leader Ed Miliband.

Following the resignation of Jennie Formby earlier this month, Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) is set to appoint a successor next week, with former party official David Evans considered the favourite for the role.

Midgley’s responsibilities will include working with Starmer and deputy leader Angela Rayner to develop a new strategy for the party’s engagement with CLPs, the membership and grassroots union membership, insiders said.

A spokesperson for Starmer said: “Anneliese brings a wealth of talent and experience to the Labour Party. She will have a crucial role to play in uniting our movement so we can win the next general election.”