Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has been blocked from standing as a Labour MP in a local by-election.
Labour’s national executive committee rejected his request to seek selection for the Gorton and Denton byelection.
The committee said its decision was based on not wanting the expense of running a by-election and mayoral campaign, but allies of Mr Burnham say it was clearly based on preventing a leadership challenge.
The decision is likely to intensify the internal battle in the party and raise more questions over the future of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
He was one of eight of the 10-member committee to vote against Mr Burnham. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, abstained.
Under Labour rules, metro mayors and police and crime commissioners must seek the NEC’s permission to stand for parliament.
Mr Burnham left it until the deadline of 5pm on Saturday to announce he wanted to contest the seat being vacated by former UK health minister Andrew Gwynne.
He said he wanted to support rather than undermine the government and play a part in improving its communication of policies.
Senior Labour figures including former Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner, the current deputy leader Lucy Powell and , Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, had said it would be wrong to block Mr Burnham.
Former shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, said:” “Message to Keir: Do not underestimate the depth of anger people will feel about this disgusting decision. If you think it strengthens you I tell you it will simply hasten your demise.
“You could have shown magnanimous leadership but instead it’s cowardice.”
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp has said that the move made Sir Keir Starmer look powerless.
“Keir Starmer is so weak and scared he won’t even allow Andy Burnham to run for parliament,” he said.
SNP Westminster Leader, Stephen Flynn, said: “Keir Starmer has today confirmed what the public already knew – he is weak.
“Despite his best efforts to cling to power today, the Scottish public will still usher him from office and put him out of his misery in May.”
The NEC said: “Andy Burnham is doing a great job as mayor of Greater Manchester. We believe it is in the best interests of the party to avoid an unnecessary mayoral election which would use substantial amounts of taxpayers’ money and resources that are better spent tackling the cost of living crisis.
“We look forward to fighting and winning the upcoming by-election in Gorton and Denton and the positive campaign ahead which will be firmly focused on tackling the cost of living and bringing investment to the local area.”
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