LIVERPOOL Labour leader Joe Anderson last night threw his weight behind an embattled Parliamentary candidate who had been branded too young and inexperienced to win.

He said the party needed to get behind Wavertree hopeful Luciana Berger, 28, after Walton MP Peter Kilfoyle hit out at her selection.

Cllr Anderson suggested that some would say that Mr Kilfoyle, 63, was “past his sell-by date”, but that it was not a view he shared as he did not like ageism.

He originally backed Liverpool councillor Wendy Simon in the Wavertree race, having said the party’s “best chance is with a local candidate” because of the short time left to a general election, which must be held before June.

He said he is now fully behind Miss Berger, of Wembley, in London, whom he said was an “outstanding candidate” that would make a great MP for Wavertree.

The selection battle was sparked by the decision of current Wavertree MP Jane Kennedy to stand down at the coming general election.

Last night Cllr Anderson said: “Age is not an issue. I had three kids by the time I was 28.

“At 21 I was a convener for the National Union of Seamen on Belfast Ferries in charge of 600 men.

“I think 28 is a good age to become an MP, we need more young people to become representatives. There are many people that would argue that some of our Liverpool MPs are past their sell-by dates, including Peter.

“But I would not support that view because I think ageism, whatever end of the spectrum [is wrong], people should be judged by their character and ability.