Emily Thornberry drops out of Labour deputy leadership race

MP’s withdrawal along with Paula Barker clears way for contest between Bridget Phillipson and Lucy Powell

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Emily Thornberry has withdrawn from the Labour deputy leadership race, clearing the way for a two-way fight between the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, and the former Commons leader Lucy Powell.

The MP for Islington South and Finsbury announced on Thursday that while she was “deeply grateful to all the Labour members who have shared their support”, she had decided to pull out.