A SECOND Labour candidate has now withdrawn from the shortlist to become a parliamentary candidate for the new Whitehaven and Workington seat - leaving just two candidates left in the contest for the Labour candidacy.

The process has been criticised by many in recent weeks as one that is flawed, with the only female candidate shortlisted stepping down last Tuesday, June 6 - calling the process 'disenfranchising' and 'frustrating'.

But over the weekend, another prosepective candidate announced their withdrawal from the process. Former Labour MP Thomas Docherty said that he has taken the decision to step back from the contest in order to 'spend some time with his family, away from party politics'.

Now only two candidates remain in the contest: Markus Campbell-Savours and Josh MacAlister.

In a statement Mr Docherty said: "I have today withdrawn from the Copeland Labour selection contest.

"I am incredibly grateful to all of those people inside and outside the Labour Party who have encouraged and supported me.

"I have been touched by the generosity of those who have actively supported me, endorsed me, or voted for me to date.

"I understand that many people will speculate on my reasons.

"However I just want to spend some time with my family, away from party politics with an extended break from social media, and I am not going to comment further."

The selection process has been widely criticised from the outset, with popular Whitehaven councillor Joseph Ghayouba being omitted from the longlist and 200 members from Workington alleging they are being excluded from the selection process due to the NEC running the process before the new ‘Whitehaven and Workington’ boundaries are ratified next month.

A Labour spokesperson said: “The process to select a candidate in Copeland has taken place in line with the timetable set out and overseen by the NEC.

"Members will shortly choose from an excellent shortlist of candidates the person they want to be their next Labour MP.

“The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously and, when made are investigated in line with our policies and procedures.”