As a mayor Mr Burnham has to apply to Labour’s powerful ruling body, the National Executive Committee (NEC), whose membership includes many Starmer loyalists, for permission to stand in by-election

Andy Burnham is said to be seeking a Commons comeback to challenge Sir Keir Starmer’s position, with claims he could stand in a by-election in Andrew Gwynne’s constituency

Speculation has spread over whether Burnham will attempt to return to pursue a Labour leadership bid