Leftwing rivals in Unite leadership race fail to agree unity candidate

Situation raises prospect that all three will enter final ballot and potentially split the left vote

The contest to become the next leader of the Unite union is set for another twist after three leftwing rivals for the position failed to agree upon a unity candidate.

Sharon Graham, the only female candidate, has told friends she will put her name forward for the final ballot despite two days of talks with fellow leftwing candidates Steve Turner and Howard Beckett.