A union boss has called for Angela Rayner to replace embattled Sir Keir Starmer. Maryam Eslamdoust, the general secretary of the Transport and Salaried Staffs’ Association, insisted it is time for a woman to lead Labour.

Her intervention comes as Sir Keir is clinging to power after the worst week of his premiership so far amid the Lord Peter Mandelson scandal. The union leader said Ms Rayner "resonates" with the public and would "stand up" to US President Donald Trump.

She told The Telegraph: “I’d like for a woman to lead the Labour Party.

"It should be an open contest and there should be a widespread range of candidates.

“There should be Left-wingers. But for me, Angela Rayner is a credible figure. We would want to see someone who can stand up to Trump and Keir can’t do that. We think Angela Rayner can.

“I think she can show real leadership; she resonates with people. She can speak in a way that resonates with workers, with working-class communities, with women.

“But she’s also strong. So when she had her unfortunate scandal, she showed leadership and stepped down. She didn’t cling on, and that’s something that I find admirable.”

Ms Eslamdoust suggested Sir Keir could be ousted if Labour comes third in the Gorton and Denton by-electon later this month.

Ms Rayner quit as deputy prime minister, housing secretary and deputy Labour leader last year in a row over her tax affairs.

But last month she hinted at a return to frontline policies, insisted she is "not dead yet".