Gay UK Labour voters back Ed Miliband

The survey for PinkNews.co.uk gave Mr Miliband 42 per cent backing among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people eligible to cast a vote, against his brother David's 31 per cent, with Diane Abbott on 16 per cent, Andy Burnham 7 per cent and Ed Balls 4 per cent.

Meanwhile, former home secretary David Blunkett announced he will vote for Mr Burnham for leader, and give his second preference to David Miliband.

The news came as the five candidates to succeed Gordon Brown prepared for their most extended TV debate of the campaign so far, answering questions from a studio audience in a 90-minute live debate on Sky News broadcast from Norwich later.

The debate is to be followed by a hustings at the TUC conference in Manchester and a leadership election special on BBC1's Question Time before voting in the postal ballot closes and the new leader is named on September 25.

In an editorial, PinkNews said that its readership's preference for Ed over David Miliband would "surprise many", as the shadow foreign secretary had previously enjoyed solid support in the gay community.