THE trade unionist contender to become Labour’s candidate in the Liverpool mayoral election has been backed by leading socialist MPs.

Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, MPs Ian Lavery and Dawn Butler and Labour peer Shami Chakrabarti are supporting Councillor Anna Rothery, a long-standing member of Unite who would be the city’s first black leader if elected. She has been backed by the Unite and BFAWU unions so far.

Ms Rothery, who has held the ceremonial post of lord mayor of Liverpool since 2019, is one of three women shortlisted by Labour to be the party’s candidate in the May election. The others are acting Mayor Wendy Simon and Councillor Ann O’Byrne.