Andy Burnham has mysteriously pulled out of a keynote speech he was meant to deliver on Friday morning.
The Greater Manchester Mayor – amid heightened rumours of a leadership challenge to the Prime Minister – had been set to address the second annual Festival of Childhood in Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum on Friday.
But at the last moment this evening, organisers said Mr Burnham was out – with no reason given as to why.
A spokesman for the children’s commissioner’s office confirmed that Mr Burnham would not be attending the event at all.
The last-ditch exit came just as reports emerged Ed Miliband had called on Sir Keir Starmer to set out a timeline for his departure amid concerns he will be forced out of Downing Street.
Sources close to the Energy Secretary told The Times he made the suggestion during a private meeting with Sir Keir about a fortnight ago.
And mere days ago, it was claimed Mr Burnham had hatched a plan to return to Westminster within weeks – and wants to challenge the Prime Minister directly.
The Mayor was reported to have cleared his first hurdle in his long-rumoured bid to topple Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader when the PM’s allies on Labour’s ruling body, the National Executive Committee (NEC), no longer willing to stand in his way.
In order to stand as an MP, he must secure the NEC’s permission to quit as Greater Manchester Mayor.
Then, he will have to find a seat – though Bootle MP Peter Dowd opened the door to offering his over the weekend.