The contenders to be Labour's candidate for Liverpool West Derby at the next general election and their supporters have arrived at the crucial vote.
Incumbent MP Ian Byrne and Croxteth councillor Anthony Lavelle are competing to represent the party in the constituency at the next election. Hyndburn councillor Kimberley Whitehead announced earlier today that she was withdrawing from the contest, meaning it is a two-way battle between Mr Byrne and Cllr Lavelle.
The vote takes place this afternoon at De La Salle Academy in the West Derby constituency and results are expected between 3 and 4pm.
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Supporters of both men were in attendance outside the school today. Cllr Lavelle's supporters held banners reading: "Good luck Anthony", while a poster read: "Ian Byrne, Man of the People". Two people, with tape over their mouths, held signs saying: "No vote, no voice".
The race has seen relations strained between Mr Byrne and Cllr Lavelle's supporters. Last weekend saw accusations of bullying and intimidation during campaign events. Mr Byrne tweeted that he faced "shameful" intimidation at an event last Saturday and said he had blocked those "involved in this appalling behaviour".
Responding, Liverpool City Council cabinet member Harry Doyle - a leading backer of Cllr Lavelle - said he had been blocked on Twitter by the MP and urged him to withdraw his "baffling" claims, adding: "There was no intimidation from any of Anthony's team." Earlier in the selection process, Mr Byrne made allegations of "multiple rule breaches" and said he was considering legal action. He claimed members had been unfairly excluded from nomination meetings in large numbers.
Later today, the constituency's Labour members will meet for the vote. The winner will be Labour's candidate at the next election and, as West Derby is a safe seat, is likely to become MP.
Mr Byrne has received support from senior Labour figures including Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham and was recently named MP of the year. Cllr Lavelle has organised within the constituency party, leading sources to suggest it could be a close race.
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