Labour MP Huw Irranca-Davies is stepping down from parliament after 14 years to run in the Welsh Assembly elections in May. Guido has been passed the timetable for the selection process to find Labour’s candidate in his Ogmore seat:

• Self-nomination deadline: February 1, 12 noon

• Shortlisting interview with NEC in London: February 2

• Selection meeting: February 13

• Expected by-election date: May 5

The local Labour party is up in arms over the rushed selection process and the decision to host the short-listing interview in London. One source describes this as a “good old fashioned stitch up” and another as “an absolute disgrace”.

Who will be the new MP? Local councillor Ceri Reeves is the wife of Irranca-Davies’ election agent and has been canvassing members for weeks. Corbynista sources say she is “very anti-Corbyn” and blame her for promoting the rumour that the leader’s office was attempting to parachute left-wing ex-MP Katy Clark into the seat. Corbyn’s team say the rumour is untrue. Other local councillors are considering making a formal complaint to Corbyn about the situation. Whether Reeves secures the nomination is seen as a proxy for the battle between Corbyn and the PLP…