Haringey council leader Joseph Ejiofor has pulled out of the race to become the next Labour Party candidate in Vauxhall.
In a statement, Cllr Ejiofor - who won the top job last year - said: "I am proud to be leader of Haringey Council, and I feel that many of the targets we set for ourselves have not yet been delivered - whether on housing, community wealth-building or social justice. I want to be here for that."
The council chief also emphasised the importance of a representative selection process, and said "other credible black candidates need to throw their hats in the ring".
He said: "Vauxhall [...] would have had Martha Osamor as its MP had Neil Kinnock not intervened 30 years ago. The Labour Party should have a national team of candidates that look like Britain, hence why many black activists think it should be appropriate for Labour to select a black candidate in Vauxhall."
Members are now believed to have written to the national party calling for an all-women's shortlist for the seat. It became vacant when current MP and divisive Brexit campaigner Kate Hoey announced she would stand down at the next election.
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