Andy Burnham has said he is “concerned” about the impact of the Labour Party’s decision to bar him from the Gorton and Denton by-election.
Members of Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) voted on Sunday morning to deny Mr Burnham permission to stand in the contest.
The committee cited the impact on party resources of fighting an “unnecessary” mayoral by-election if he won in Gorton and Denton and had to stand down as mayor of Greater Manchester.
I am disappointed by today’s NEC decision and concerned about its potential impact on the important elections ahead of us.
To whoever is Labour’s candidate and to our members in Manchester and Tameside: you will have my full support and I will be there whenever you need me.
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In a statement on social media hours later, Mr Burnham said: “I am disappointed by today’s NEC decision and concerned about its potential impact on the important elections ahead of us.
“To whoever is Labour’s candidate and to our members in Manchester and Tameside: you will have my full support and I will be there whenever you need me.”
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