Sir Keir Starmer has defended the decision to block Andy Burnham from standing in an upcoming by-election.
Burnham, who held a range of ministerial positions before standing down to become Mayor of Greater Manchester, is widely seen as a potential leadership challenger to Sir Keir should he return to Westminster.
Labour's decision making body, the National Executive Committee (NEC), which includes Sir Keir, banned him from standing, saying the block on him running as the Labour candidate in Gorton and Denton would "avoid an unnecessary mayoral election".
But some backbenchers have complained about "petty factional manoeuvring" and are calling for the decision to be reconsidered.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Sir Keir insisted allowing Burnham to run for a seat in Westminster would "divert our resources" from "very important" campaigns in May's elections, where Labour is facing potential losses in the Senedd in Wales, the Scottish parliament and English local elections.
