A leadership hopeful for one of Labour’s biggest union backers has pulled out of the race in a bid to find a unity left-wing candidate.

Howard Beckett, who had once been viewed as the heir apparent to Len McCluskey as Unite’s general secretary, is no longer seeking to lead the trade union.

Instead, Mr Beckett – who has recently stepped up his criticism of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer – will now support Steve Turner in the race to replace Mr McCluskey.

It follows recent talks between Mr Beckett, Mr Turner and a third left-wing candidate, Sharon Graham, over finding a single candidate between them to take on a fourth leadership rival, Gerard Coyne.

Among the union’s left-wing, there had been concerns that a split among different candidates within their faction could hand victory to Mr Coyne, who is viewed as coming from the union’s right.

If elected, Mr Coyne has promised to bring “real change” to Unite and order an independent review of the union’s controversial £98m spend on a Birmingham hotel and conference centre.

Sources in Mr Beckett’s camp told Sky News that Ms Graham refused to stand aside.

A spokesperson for Ms Graham said: “100% Sharon Graham is standing. She has great support in the union’s industrial base and across the union in Ireland Scotland and Wales.

“She is the workers’ candidate and believes she has support in depth to carry the day.”

pic.twitter.com/f3b9P5KxSO

In a joint statement, Mr Beckett and Mr Turner said: “Throughout this contest we have both been committed to one thing above all – developing further the role our union has played since its foundation as a fighting back, progressive, campaigning force for working people throughout Britain and Ireland.

“It is clear that developing that unique role requires the unity of the left in our union, and of all these representatives and members in the workplaces and beyond who have made Unite a union to be proud of.”

Mr Beckett, who is currently a Unite assistant general secretary, was recently suspended from the Labour Party after suggesting Home Secretary Priti Patel and not refugees should be “deported”.

He had also been criticised after both Unite and a blogger lost a £1.3m battle over legal costs relating to a libel case won by a former MP.

Mr McCluskey, who was an ally of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, is standing down after more than 10 years in the role.

Unite are one of Labour’s largest donors.

Related posts:

Looking at use of COVID passports ‘only the right thing to do’, says vaccines minister Sturgeon warns PM not to block indyref2 – as SNP hopes for majority fade Salmond admits he may not lead Alba much longer after disappointing election results Senior MoD civil servant at centre of probe into how sensitive documents turned up at bus stop Javid’s set expectations sky high within hours – but expect his influence to be felt more gradually PM suggests he took decisive action on Hancock – despite initially saying matter was ‘closed’ PM reveals ‘romantic urges’ of Downing St dog – with Dilyn liking ‘people’s legs’ National strategy on disability published despite criticism over survey from campaigners UK to give Kenya more than 800,000 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine Councillors pass no confidence vote in Matt Hancock after footage of him kissing aide published Top economist ‘worried’ increasing minimum wage is govt’s ‘only tool’ to tackle cost of living crisis ‘Dreadful shock but not a surprise’: Priti Patel says ‘no quick fix’ to stopping migrant crossings