Left-wing maverick Jeremy Corbyn has thrown his hat in the ring to become the next leader of the Labour Party.
The veteran MP for Islington North announced his decision to stand by saying it was a response to an "overwhelming call" from party members who want a broader debate on Labour's future.
Mr Corbyn, who promised he would run on a "clear anti-austerity platform", becomes the fifth MP to join the race. Andy Burnham, Liz Kendall, Yvette Cooper and Mary Creagh have already announced their candidacy.
Candidates require support from 35 of their Commons colleagues to make the final ballot and the winner of the contest will be announced ahead of the party's annual conference in September.
Mr Corbyn said: "This decision to stand is in response to an overwhelming call by Labour Party members who want to see a broader range of candidates and a thorough debate about the future of the party.
"I am standing to give Labour party members a voice in this debate," the MP said.
In his 32 years as the MP for Islington North, Mr Corbyn has been a vocal campaigner against war and nuclear weapons.
