Ian Lavery, Labour Party chairman

Labour leader hopeful Sir Keir Starmer has been told to “stand aside” to make way for a female winner.

The Labour Party chairman Ian Lavery has warned against choosing a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” if they vote for Sir Keir.

He described the candidate as “the moderate in the race”.

Mr Lavery, known for his strong left-wing political stance, is backing Rebecca Long-Bailey to succeed Jeremy Corbyn.

He told supporters: “We need a female leader of the Labour Party.

“One hundred and twenty years in existence and we still haven’t had one female leader of this party.

“Stand aside, Keir. Understand your place.”

Mr Lavery later said his comments were made” tongue in cheek”.

But added: “We have four women and a man (in the race for Labour leader).

“All I would say is that there is a clamour, and rightly so, to have a female leader.

“It’s long overdue and that’s the point I want to make.”