Andy Burnham picks up 16 more nominations

Andy Burnham has secured a half-century of nominations, including his first from outside Wales and the North of England.

By Stephen Bush

(Photo By You won't like him when he's angry. (Photo:Getty))

Andy Burnham has picked up the support of 16 more MPs, bringing his total to 50 overall. His nearest rival in terms of parliamentary support, Yvette Cooper, has 31 MPs. Liz Kendall has 21 MPs. Mary Creagh, who, increasingly, looks unlikely to make the ballot, has 6 MPs.

In a boost for the Burnham campaign, he has secured his first backers from outside Wales and the North. Kerry McCarthy, the MP for Bristol East, and Alan Whitehead, from Southampton Test, have publicly endorsed Burnham. He has also secured endorsements from two London MPs, Kate Hoey and Teresa Pearce.

The full 16 are:

Alan Whitehead

Bill Esterson
Clive Betts
Chris Matheson
Derek Twigg
Kerry McCarthy
Liz McInnes
Mary Glindon
Teresa Pearce
Wayne David
Albert Owen
Iain Wright
Nia Griffith
Kate Hoey
Ian Mearns
Paul Farrelly