LABOUR is facing internal turmoil over the possibility of Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham making a Commons comeback, opening the way for a leadership challenge to PM Sir Keir Starmer.

The crisis erupted after it became known that Andrew Gwynne, MP for Gorton and Denton in Manchester, was preparing to resign, triggering a by-election.

Mr Gwynne has been suspended from Labour for a year after offensive WhatsApp messages emerged.  It is understood he has reached agreement with Commons authorities to retire on grounds of ill health.

Downing Street will likely mobilise to block any candidacy by Mr Burnham, who has made little secret of his ambitions and has kept up a running commentary on the government’s shortcomings in recent months.

The decision on Labour’s candidate will be up to the national executive committee, controlled by Starmer loyalists. 

But Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright said: “It would be a democratic outrage if Andy Burnham was blocked from seeking selection as Labour’s by-election candidate in this seat.

“In the event that a by-election takes place, as an affiliated union, the FBU will not stand by and allow senior Labour politicians like Andy to be carved out of this process.

“Our union will fiercely resist any attempts to stitch up the selection.

“It’s vital that there is a full and open democratic procedure to choose Labour’s candidate to fight this by-election.

“Anything less would be unacceptable.”

It would be a high risk move to block the Manchester mayor, given that another candidate would be more likely to lose the seat to Reform or another challenger, given the party’s deep unpopularity.

Any by-election would likely be held simultaneously with the May local elections. A Commons return for Mr Burnham would open up the possibility of him challenging Sir Keir, if the local election results prove to be as disastrous for Labour as anticipated. 

But Mr Burnham has said he is “in the dark” about reports that Mr Gwynne could stand down and clear a path allowing him to stand for Parliament.

He said: “It’s not been confirmed to me. I’ve had no contact on this issue with Andrew or anyone close to him.

“People shouldn’t rush to conclusions.”

Mr Burnham added he had been “very focused on my role as mayor of Greater Manchester,” adding that a re-industrialisation plan he “put out this week shows that.”