Unite look certain to back Ed Miliband

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

Ed Miliband looks almost certain to receive the backing of Britain’s biggest trade union, Unite, when they announce their nomination on Monday. According to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, the Unite political committee which met today gave Ed Miliband a thumping victory over Ed Balls and Andy Burnham – winning with 24 votes compared to just 4 each for Balls and Burnham in joint second place.

It should be stressed that Ed Miliband has not yet been backed by Unite – although it’s difficult to envisage them not backing him after their political committee have been so clear in their backing.

We’ll bring full reaction when Unite make their announcement official on Monday.

Update: This article previously said Ed Balls and David Miliband finished in joint second place – this should have read Ed Balls and Andy Burnham, and has now been amended.