Gordon Brown's succession on course

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Some 282 of Labour's 354 MPs have nominated the Chancellor for the Labour leadership, the first official indication of support revealed.

The prospect of a left-wing challenger also looked distant with John McDonnell - the only other contender - boasting the nominations of just 27 MPs.

He will require the support of another 18 MPs if he is to win a place on the ballot paper and prevent the Chancellor's virtual coronation this week. Nominations opened on Monday and will close on Thursday afternoon.

In the deputy leadership contest, Education Secretary Alan Johnson took an early lead with 64 nominations, followed by Justice Minister Harriet Harman with 60.

Both are assured of a place on the ballot paper along with Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain, who has 49 nominations, and party chair Hazel Blears, with 48.

Backbencher Jon Cruddas, who has 44 nominations, will need to find one more to hit the 45 needed to enter the contest proper.

International Development Secretary Hilary Benn, with 34, nominations, needs 11 more names.

The figures are the first to be published by the Labour Party since the nomination process got under way, but they are all broadly in line with the expectations of candidates and observers.

Mr McDonnell, who was given a clear run from the left of the party when Michael Meacher dropped out yesterday, insisted that his nominations represented "really good progress". He went on: "It's not even half-time yet and we're over half-way in terms of nominations with some MPs out of the country and others finalising their position. This confirms that we're well on course for getting on the ballot paper and with this momentum we should make it."