Andy Burnham's likely Chief of Staff joins Downing St from a lobbying firm that counts Thames Water and Heathrow's rival bidder as clients.

Decision is one of Makerfield MP’s most significant since his Westminster return as he builds his team for government

New PM’s likely chief of staff, James Purnell, runs lobbying firm whose clients include tech giants and water companies

Andy Burnham's likely Chief of Staff joins Downing St from a lobbying firm that counts Thames Water and Heathrow's rival bidder as clients.

James Purnell quit Gordon Brown's Government in 2009, later becoming a senior executive at the BBC.

Appointment of James Purnell, former chief executive of Flint Global, described by one Labour MP as ‘very bad sign’

In Westminster, it feels like the clock has rewound 20 years

Mr Burnham's spokesman has insisted they did due diligence on their new hire after eyebrows were raised about his relationship with Peter Mandelson.