Left’s victory tightens union grip on Labour

LABOUR MPS fear Len Mccluskey has cemented his control over the party after Jennie Formby, one of his closest Unite allies, was named as the new general secretary last night.

Ms Formby was appointed after a vote at Labour’s National Executive Committee, making her only the second woman to hold the powerful position.

However as a close friend and ally of Mr Mccluskey, the boss of Unite, some Labour MPS fear the Left now has full control of the party with Karie Murphy, another of the union leader’s friends, acting as Mr Corbyn’s most senior aide.

Ms Formby has been a member of Labour for 40 years and Unite’s southeast regional director since 2016. She has a child with Mr Mccluskey and two other children with her husband.

Six of the party’s most senior staff at its headquarters in London quit earlier this week ahead of the announcement.

A source said that Christine Blower, the only other candidate, received just two votes last night, thought to be from Jon Lansman and Christine Shawcroft – both Momentum figures. Ms Formby received 35 votes.

One Labour source told The Telegraph that the appointment will “tear the Left wing of the party apart” as Momentum becomes frustrated with the union’s grip on big decisions. “Jennie will run the party badly and make enemies, particularly among Momentum… they’ve essentially put their foot down on the accelerator while hurtling towards a brick wall,” he added.