But the move in Wyre Forest could strain relations with Labour - although party leader Charles Kennedy has insisted there are no 'backroom' deals between the two sides.

BBC: Lib Dems bow out of key seat

She also attacked the way NEC members had been treated throughout the day, saying they had been repeatedly completely misinformed as to what was going on in the backroom negotiations and attempted arm-twisting between the party leadership and union leaders.

BBC: Labour's activist left regroups

Mr de Venecia, an ambitious backroom politician of the old school, has a strong grip on the party machinery.

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