Labour leadership hustings cancelled as Sir Keir Starmer's mother-in-law remains critically ill
The Labour leadership hustings has been cancelled after Sir Keir Starmer pulled out as his mother-in-law remains critically ill in hospital, the party has said.
The shadow Brexit secretary announced on Thursday that he was suspending campaigning after his mother-in-law was involved in a serious accident.
General secretary Jennie Formby said that to ensure fairness to all the candidates, the party’s procedures committee had agreed Saturday’s hustings in Leeds should not now go ahead.
The deputy leadership hustings will take place as planned.
There will be 11 more hustings, with the next scheduled for Bristol on February 1.
A spokesman for Sir Keir said he had been forced to cancel his Labour leadership campaign events at the weekend.
They said: "Further to yesterday’s statement, Keir will be cancelling all campaign events this weekend. We ask that his family’s privacy is respected at this time."
On Thursday, a statement released on behalf of Sir Keir said: "Following an accident, Keir Starmer's mother-in-law is critically ill and has been admitted to hospital in intensive care.
"In order to support his family at this difficult time, Keir will be cancelling all campaign events today and tomorrow.
"We ask that his family's privacy is respected at this time."
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