Burnham accuses No 10 sources of lying about byelection decision

"The Labour party's civil war over the Gorton and Denton byelection has intensified after Andy Burnham accused Downing Street sources of lying about his decision to apply to stand in the Manchester seat. The Manchester mayor was reacting to suggestions by unnamed Keir Starmer allies that he had been told in no uncertain terms that any request to the NEC committee to put his name forward for the byelection would be refused."

"Responding to a post on X by ITV's political editor, Robert Peston, which suggested sources close to the PM therefore saw Burnham's move to stand as an explicit attempt to destabilise Starmer, Burnham wrote: This is simply untrue. Peston then sent a follow-up message saying a second source had backed up Burnham's version of events, adding that Burnham was seeking an urgent call with No 10 about the briefing."

"About 50 Labour MPs signed a letter objecting to the decision to block Burnham from standing in the 26 February byelection, warning the prime minister that the move was a real gift to Reform UK. Starmer attempted to calm the waters on Monday, saying that while Burnham was doing a great job, he and his fellow officers on the NEC had decided to not allow Burnham to quit as mayor of Greater Manchester so as to avoid triggering a costly mayoral election."

Andy Burnham publicly accused Downing Street sources of lying about a decision to block his application to stand in the Gorton and Denton byelection. Unnamed Keir Starmer allies were said to have indicated any NEC request to nominate Burnham would be refused. Burnham denied those briefings and sought an urgent call with Number 10 after ITV's Robert Peston reported conflicting sources. Around 50 Labour MPs objected to the block, warning it benefited Reform UK. NEC officers chose to prevent Burnham from resigning as mayor to avoid a costly mayoral election. Reform UK faced ridicule over a campaigning error.

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