LABOUR leader Sir Keir Starmer’s independent challenger Andrew Feinstein has won the backing of a former Labour general secretary in his bid to unseat the party leader.

Jennie Formby, who led the party machine under Jeremy Corbyn, has endorsed Mr Feinstein in Sir Keir’s Holborn & St Pancras constituency.

“This country needs people like Andrew in Parliament — somebody who wants to tackle the inter-related climate, housing and inequality crises that we face,” Ms Formby said.

“There is no doubt he will fight for all of his constituents and advocate for the truly transformative and progressive policies we need to make this country fairer and greener. 

“Andrew has a long track record standing up for Palestinian rights and against the horrors we see unfolding in Gaza.

“He has worked to expose and oppose the corruption in the global arms trade and the devastating consequences of unchecked militarism.

“I know he will work tirelessly to advocate for an immediate end to arms sales to Israel.”

Mr Feinstein said: “It is an honour to have secured the endorsement of such an eminent trade unionist and a former general secretary who built the party membership to its highest level in generations. 

“She speaks for so many Labour supporters dismayed at the party’s direction.”

Ms Formby, a former Unite official and only the second female general secretary in Labour’s history, helped build party membership to 600,000. 

She was pushed out by Sir Keir on his first day as leader and the party’s membership has plummeted since as the apparatus has dedicated itself to witch-hunts against the left.