The Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham, blamed Downing Street sources for presenting false information about his intention to stand as a candidate for the Manchester seat.
This follows comments by allies of Keir Starmer that he had been informed that any application to the NEC to stand in the by-election would be rejected.
ITV political editor Robert Peston said sources close to the prime minister believed Andy Burnham’s move to stand in the by-election was intended to destabilise Sir Keir Starmer and was informed “he would be repulsed if he requested permission of the NEC committee to put his name forward for the Gorton and Denton by election.”
Burnham on X rejected the claim, describing it as “simply untrue”. However, Peston later said a second source had backed Burnham’s account and reported that the Greater Manchester mayor was seeking an urgent conversation with Downing Street over the briefing.
Over 50 Labour MPs signed a letter rejecting the decision to stop Burnham from contesting in the February 26 by-election , cautioning that the move was a gift to Reform UK.
Starmer, in a move to reduce tensions praised Andy Burnham for “doing a great job” noting he and other officers on Labour’s National Executive Committee had decided not to allow Burnham to step down as Greater Manchester mayor.
Read also the related story on The New Daily Prime: Labour MPs urge review decision to block Burnham by-election bid
He said doing so would have caused an expensive mayoral election.
“Resources, whether that’s money or people, need to be focused on the elections that we must have, not elections that we don’t have to have,” Starmer said.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed said those who opposed the decision were “entitled to their view”, but added that NEC officers had voted “overwhelmingly” in favour of the move.
The contest for the Gorton and Denton seat which Labour won with just over 50% of the vote in 2024 is under way.
Speculation over Labour’s candidate continues, with interviews ongoing and a selection expected on Saturday.
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