Decision likely to set off ferocious row between Keir Starmer loyalists and allies of Greater Manchester mayor

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

Starmer allies on Labour’s national executive committee reportedly trying to stop potential leadership rival from standing at by-election

Angela Rayner is expected to urge PM to let Greater Manchester mayor stand in Gorton and Denton byelection

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has been seen as a rival to Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour leadership

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…

Supporters have warned Labour not to block the mayor of Greater Manchester, a leading rival of the prime minister, from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election

Greater Manchester mayor has applied to stand for Labour in Gorton and Denton, setting up potential fight for PM’s political future

Manchester mayor will find out today if Labour will allow him to stand in the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election, paving the way for a potential leadership challenge

Labour's governing National Executive Committee is embroiled in a furious row over whether to allow the Greater Manchester mayor to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election

Decision likely to set off ferocious row between Keir Starmer loyalists and allies of Greater Manchester mayor

Labour sources say concerns were raised about the cost of a mayoral election and a "divisive campaign".

The mayor of Greater Manchester has been seen as a potential rival to Sir Keir Starmer for leadership

Greater Manchester mayor will not be tested in tough byelection or against PM for now, but can continue to pose speculative threat

Greater Manchester mayor said he had aimed to stop Reform’s ‘divisive politics’ after he was barred from contesting by-election

The British papers are in agreement that Keir Starmer faces a likely backlash from unhappy Labour MPs and members

Preventing the mayor from returning to Westminster deprives the party of its most potent candidate in Gorton and Denton

Commons seat campaign by Greater Manchester mayor mid-term would drain resources, says Douglas Alexander

Manchester mayor also voices criticism about ‘way party is being run’ and hits back at those supporting blocking of path back to Westminster

Douglas Alexander says that a campaign in Greater Manchester would have ‘a substantial and disproportionate impact’ on party resources

Minister defends move, saying that a mayoral campaign in Greater Manchester would have ‘a substantial and disproportionate impact’ on party resources