Burnham is widely seen as a future challenger to Keir Starmer - but needs to be an MP before he can run for the party leadership.

The Labour Party has blocked Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham from standing as a parliamentary candidate in a move that is likely to cause a major political backlash.

Blocking Mr Burnham is likely to provoke anger from some parts of the Labour Party after several senior figures called for local members to have the final say on whether he should stand.