Resignation paves way for Burnham to return as MP

LABOUR leadership hopeful Andy Burnham may get a crack at challenging Sir Keir Starmer after a potential way back to the Commons was cleared by an MP stepping down.

- BY JONATHAN WALKER

Andy Burnham, above, said he was 'in dark' about Mr Gwynne, left, standing down

Former Labour health minister Andrew Gwynne yesterday announced he is standing down for medical reasons. He lost the party whip in July after he was accused of posting offensive WhatsApp messages.

Greater Manchester Mayor Mr Burnham could stand in the resulting by-election in Mr Gwynne’s constituency of Gorton and Denton, Greater Manchester.

It sparked an immediate row, with Mr Burnham’s supporters reacting furiously to suggestions that he could be prevented from standing.

Labour rules allow the party’s executive committee, chaired by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, to prevent sitting mayors from taking a tilt at Parliament.