AS THE BATTLE for the Labour leadership gets under way Poplar and Limehouse MP Jim Fitzpatrick backs former Foreign Secretary David Miliband in his bid to lead the party. Mr Fitzpatrick comfortably maintained his place in Westminster in the newly create

AS THE BATTLE for the Labour leadership gets under way Poplar and Limehouse MP Jim Fitzpatrick backs former Foreign Secretary David Miliband in his bid to lead the party.

Mr Fitzpatrick comfortably maintained his place in Westminster in the newly created constituency and was one of 20 MPs to give Miliband his support as the first leadership hopeful out of the tracks following Gordon Brown's resignation.

Until the creation of the new coalition government this week former firefighter Mr Fitzpatrick served as the food and farming minister and has been an MP for 13 years.

He told the Advertiser he thought David Miliband would be a good leader for the party which faces life in opposition to the Cameron-led government.

Other former ministers backing the bid are Phil Woolas (Home Office) and Gareth Thomas (International Development).