Coronavirus: Labour Party cancels leadership election announcement

The Labour Party has cancelled a special conference to announce the results of its leadership election as a precaution against the coronavirus outbreak.

Labour leadership candidates (from the left) Rebecca Long-Bailey, Lisa Nandy and Sir Keir Starmer

Remaining hustings events have also been cancelled, effectively putting an end to the contest. Members and affiliated supporters have been voting by online ballot since February.

Other party events have been cancelled, and scheduled constituency Labour Party meetings will also be reviewed.

The Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru have already announced the cancellation of their spring conferences, with decisions expected from Scottish political parties.

A Labour Party spokeswoman said: "In light of the spread of coronavirus, Labour has cancelled the leadership elections special conference scheduled for April 4.

"The final remaining leadership hustings event is also cancelled. And Welsh Labour Conference and Scottish Labour Women's Conference are postponed.

"The results of the leadership and deputy leadership elections will be announced at a scaled back event on the same date and we are now considering options for what form that event will take.

"This is not a decision we have taken lightly. Our priority is the wellbeing of our members and staff, and ensuring we fully contribute to the collective effort to protect public health.

"We are considering whether upcoming constituency meetings should go ahead and will keep our members fully informed."