Merseyside MP Angela Eagle has withdrawn from the race to become Labour leader.
The representative for Wallasey announced her plans to challenge Jeremy Corbyn just eight days ago but has instead offered her backing to Owen Smith’s campaign.
Ms Eagle was one of three politicians from the region to tender their resignation in the Shadow cabinet as Corbyn received an overwhelming vote of no-confidence.
She said she was pulling her Labour candidacy “in the interests of the party”.
Meanwhile a man in connection with alleged death threats made to Ms Eagle has been bailed by police.
A 44-year-old from Paisley in Scotland was arrested last Friday on suspicion of making threats to kill.
It came just days after a brick was thrown through a window of the politician’s office in her Liscard constituency.