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Harman wins deputy leader contest Harman wins deputy leader contest
(10 minutes later)
Harriet Harman is the new deputy leader of the Labour Party, after a seven-week contest to replace John Prescott.Harriet Harman is the new deputy leader of the Labour Party, after a seven-week contest to replace John Prescott.
The justice minister beat off favourite Alan Johnson and four other MPs to win the ballot of party and union members, MPs and MEPs. The 56-year-old justice minister pipped favourite Alan Johnson and four other MPs to win the ballot of party and union members, Labour MPs and MEPs.
Mr Prescott steps down alongside party leader, and prime minister, Tony Blair. She got 50.4% of votes to Mr Johnson's 49.6% after all the other contestants' second preferences were reallocated.
Gordon Brown will be confirmed as Mr Blair's successor as Labour leader shortly, and will taken over from him as prime minister on Wednesday. Gordon Brown will shortly be confirmed as Tony Blair's successor as leader. He takes over as PM on Wednesday.
DEPUTY LEADER RESULT 1. Harman: 50.4%2. Johnson: 49.6% 3. Cruddas: Out4. Benn: Out5. Hain: Out6. Blears: Out Votes after eliminated contestants' second preferences reallocated Profile: Harriet Harman
Ms Harman, the wife of senior Transport and General Workers' Union official - and Labour Party treasurer - Jack Dromey, has close links to Mr Brown.Ms Harman, the wife of senior Transport and General Workers' Union official - and Labour Party treasurer - Jack Dromey, has close links to Mr Brown.
Her election completes a remarkable comeback from 1998 when she was sacked from Mr Blair's first Cabinet after public disputes with her minister Frank Field.Her election completes a remarkable comeback from 1998 when she was sacked from Mr Blair's first Cabinet after public disputes with her minister Frank Field.
Despite that setback she managed to return to the Labour frontbench in 2001 when she became the first female solicitor general.Despite that setback she managed to return to the Labour frontbench in 2001 when she became the first female solicitor general.
During the deputy leadership campaign she expressed regret at voting for the Iraq war and has called for a United Nations Security Council Resolution against the US government over Guantanamo Bay.During the deputy leadership campaign she expressed regret at voting for the Iraq war and has called for a United Nations Security Council Resolution against the US government over Guantanamo Bay.
She also campaigned on equal pay for men and women and called for an end to the "culture of spin".She also campaigned on equal pay for men and women and called for an end to the "culture of spin".
Earlier Mr Prescott, who has been both deputy leader and deputy prime minister, said his successor should concentrate on revitalising the party - not on holding a Cabinet post.Earlier Mr Prescott, who has been both deputy leader and deputy prime minister, said his successor should concentrate on revitalising the party - not on holding a Cabinet post.
'Strengthening enthusiasm''Strengthening enthusiasm'
"I think we took our eye off the ball to a certain extent about the politics of organisation being as important as politics of ideas and policy," he told the BBC."I think we took our eye off the ball to a certain extent about the politics of organisation being as important as politics of ideas and policy," he told the BBC.
"Let us get on with the organisation, strengthening the party, bringing back enthusiasm into it, these are essential to win the next election."Let us get on with the organisation, strengthening the party, bringing back enthusiasm into it, these are essential to win the next election.
It is seen as unlikely that the two roles would be combined again.It is seen as unlikely that the two roles would be combined again.
Indications are that Commons leader Jack Straw - who has run Mr Brown's leadership campaign - would get some of the responsibilities of the deputy prime minister's job, but there would not be a deputy PM.Indications are that Commons leader Jack Straw - who has run Mr Brown's leadership campaign - would get some of the responsibilities of the deputy prime minister's job, but there would not be a deputy PM.
While Mr Brown was the sole contender to replace Mr Blair, there was a more crowded field for the position of deputy leader.While Mr Brown was the sole contender to replace Mr Blair, there was a more crowded field for the position of deputy leader.
International Development Secretary Hilary Benn, Labour chairwoman Hazel Blears, backbencher Jon Cruddas, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain and Education Secretary Alan Johnson all took part in the contest.International Development Secretary Hilary Benn, Labour chairwoman Hazel Blears, backbencher Jon Cruddas, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain and Education Secretary Alan Johnson all took part in the contest.