‘Purge’ of Labour leftwingers must end, Keir Starmer told

Labour leader accused of ‘cull’ and picking close allies to contest safe seats as others get blocked from standing for party in UK election

Keir Starmer is under mounting pressure to end what his critics say is a “purge” against those on the Labour left ahead of a crunch meeting of the party’s governing body next week.

Party members on Thursday accused the Labour leader of orchestrating a “cull of leftwingers” after several high-profile figures were told they would not be selected as candidates for seats they held or had previously contested.