Lucy Powell hits out at ‘sexist’ talk that she is Labour proxy for Andy Burnham

Deputy leadership hopeful dismisses claims she and her rival, Bridget Phillipson, are stand-ins for prime ministerial battle

Lucy Powell has hit out at the sexist" framing of her deputy Labour leadership campaign, with people claiming she and her rival, Bridget Phillipson, are standing as proxies" for two men.

With the contest to replace Angela Rayner under way this week, the pair have been forced to contend with political rumours that they are stalking horses for a future leadership battle.