Camilla Tominey has accused Labour of “fighting like rats in a sack” with Andy Burnham eyeing up a return to Westminster.
On Saturday, the Greater Manchester Mayor announced he plans to run as MP for the Gorton and Denton by-election after the seat’s incumbent parliamentarian Andrew Gwynne resigned on Friday.
Mr Burnham sent a letter to the Chair of Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) seeking permission to be selected for the widely-anticipated race.
Today, the NEC will meet to decide whether to give Mr Burnham the go-ahead.
But, speaking to Labour frontbencher Sarah Jones, the GB News star insisted Mr Burnham’s bid was surely a sign of Labour infighting while the party becomes laden with rumoured leadership plots.
However, the Minister for Policing and Crime refuted the host’s claim, urging Camilla to revisit the Mayor’s letter.
Although Mr Burnham has long-been rumoured to be looking to stage a coup and overthrow Sir Keir Starmer’s reign over Labour, he has vowed he does not wish to “undermine” the Government and had “passed on this assurance to the Prime Minister”.
Ms Jones added: “He made clear that he supports what the Government is doing. He’s also said previously the best person to be Prime Minister is Keir Starmer.
‘The Prime Minister is not going anywhere,’ a top Labour Minister told Camilla Tominey (Inset) on GB News
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GB NEWS
“He said why he wants to take what he’s learnt from Manchester and the obvious success he’s had in a number of areas in terms of how he’s delivered for the people of Greater Manchester, and he wants to bring that back to Parliament.”
But Camilla remained unconvinced, smiling while responding: “Come on, you’re much cleverer than that! He doesn’t mean what he said in his statement.
“He has left a position where he’s known as King of the North. He’s very popular up in Manchester as mayor because he wants to challenge the Prime Minister. There’s no other discernible and logical reason for this than that.”
Ms Jones, nevertheless, argued Labour needed their “best people” to fight against Reform UK and the “busted flushes” of the Tory Party.
LABOUR LEADERSHIP LATEST:
Andy Burnham is rumoured to be lunging towards a leadership bid against Sir Keir Starmer
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PA
“This is shameless from Burnham and also Lucy Powell,” Camilla added, incredulously. “Lucy Powell is Keir Starmer’s deputy leader. She’s plumping for Burnham right in front of the Prime Minister!
“We then got other reports about Streeting on manoeuvres. Angela Rayner is plotting a comeback.
“The Labour Party used to accuse the Tories of indulging in psychodrama. You’re all fighting like rats in a sack!”
Last week, Sir Keir’s party became plagued by yet another briefing war after allies of the Health Secretary slammed No10 for goading on the PM to sack Mr Streeting.
Meanwhile, Ms Rayner was also believed to be flirting with a leadership challenge, but has since come out in support for Mr Burnham’s return.
Still, Ms Jones maintained Sir Keir was “completely focused” on everyday issues for Britons, from the cost of living to representing the UK on the international stage.
“His bid shouldn’t be blocked then,” Camilla argued. “Lots of people in No10 are running around in hysterics trying to block this.
“He should be allowed to stand. Otherwise, it’s a London stitch-up.
“It would be ludicrous to stop him, wouldn’t he? Considering what you’ve just said about. We need our strongest people fighting our strongest seats. We have to think he would be an asset.
“Whatever happens, I’m sure we’ll get the best person,” the MP retorted.