UK: Labour crown in Brown's grasp

Gordon Brown will be acclaimed Labour leader elect and Britain’s next prime minister today, after his left-wing rival John McDonnell conceded defeat in the race for No. 10.

In a statement shortly after 8.30pm yesterday, Mr McDonnell accepted that it was “mathematically impossible” for him to secure the 45 nominations by Labour MPs needed to go forward as a candidate and force a contested election.