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Blears 'to run for deputy leader' Blears 'to run for deputy leader'
(20 minutes later)
Labour chairman Hazel Blears is expected to announce that she will run for the party's deputy leadership. Labour chairman Hazel Blears is to launch a bid for the party's deputy leadership.
She will be the sixth MP to declare she will contest the race to replace John Prescott when he stands down later this year with Prime Minister Tony Blair. She will be the sixth MP to enter the race to replace John Prescott John Prescott when he stands down later this year with Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Ms Blears, MP for Salford, is likely to make a formal announcement on Saturday. The Salford MP, who is seen as a loyal Blairite, is expected to make a formal announcement on Saturday.
A source said last week that she had received a "strong" show of support from MPs and party members. Ms Blears is seen a strong supporter of Mr Blair. A source told the BBC last week that she had received a "strong" show of support from MPs and party members.
Cabinet ministers Hilary Benn, Peter Hain and Alan Johnson have already said they will run for the deputy leadership, as have Constitutional Affairs Minister Harriet Harman and backbencher Jon Cruddas. Cabinet ministers Hilary Benn, Peter Hain and Alan Johnson are already campaigning for the deputy leadership, along with Constitutional Affairs Minister Harriet Harman and backbencher Jon Cruddas.
Chancellor Gordon Brown is seen as the strong favourite to replace Mr Blair, but the deputy contest is regarded as far more open.Chancellor Gordon Brown is seen as the strong favourite to replace Mr Blair, but the deputy contest is regarded as far more open.
Ms Blears has been Labour chairman since last May and considered a loyal Blairite. Ms Blears, who became party chairman last May, has faced criticism from potential rivals for the deputy leadership that she has been campaigning behind the scenes for some months.
She has faced criticism from potential rivals for the deputy leadership that she has been campaigning behind the scenes for some months, according to press reports. On Wednesday, veteran left winger Michael Meacher said he wanted to challenge Gordon Brown for the party leadership.
On Wednesday, left-wing backbencher Michael Meacher announced he was launching a bid to replace Mr Blair as party leader. He joins fellow left-winger John McDonnell as a potential candidate.
He joins fellow left-winger John McDonnell as a declared candidate. Both men must now gain the backing of 45 Labour MPs to get on to the ballot and trigger a contest.
Mr Blair and Mr Prescott will leave office this year, with many commentators expecting them to go shortly after the English local elections in May.