Mr Rotheram said it was “right” that he had thrown his support behind Mr Corbyn despite backing Andy Burnham, who has been selected as the party’s candidate in Greater Manchester, in Labour’s leadership contest past year.
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In Manchester, Andy Burnham was selected with with 51 per cent, easily outstripping Tony Lloyd (29 per cent) and Ivan Lewis (19.8 per cent).
Mr Rotheram backed Mr Burnham for the leadership, calling him his “best mate” but said it was right the then threw his weight behind Mr Corbyn because of “overwhelming” support for Mr Corbyn.
Local MPs Luciana Berger and Steve Rotheram, along with the city’s mayor Joe Anderson, have been competing for selection by local party members before voting closed on Friday. Following Berger’s elimination, the Liverpool MP won the run-off with 59.8 per cent.
Fellow female Labour MP Alison McGovern tweeted yesterday after Mr Burnham and Mr Simon’s selection, saying: “Was it something we said?” “Instead it will be a based on local links, name recognition, practical solutions to economic and social problems and the pitiful performance of the Conservatives in Britain’s major industrial cities”.
The result of the race for the Labour nomination is set to be announced at 10am.
Elections for metro mayors will take place next May.
Jon Lansman, chairman of the Corbyn-supporting Momentum movement, said the result was a “victory for democracy”.
Rotheram, who also served as lord mayor of Liverpool in 2008 and 2009, will fight to lead a region covering Liverpool, St Helens, Knowsley, Sefton, Wirral and the Cheshire borough of Halton.
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Anderson said: “Heartbroken but determined to continue as Mayor to work for Liverpool and the greatest city region in the world”.
