PM sends Burnham and Labour warning over leadership contest

Sir Keir Starmer has warned Andy Burnham against launching an immediate challenge to his leadership if he becomes an MP, urging him, and the party, to focus instead on the election for a new Greater Manchester mayor.

If Burnham wins in Makerfield on Thursday he would have to resign as Manchester mayor, with a by-election to replace him expected by 6 August.

Burnham is widely anticipated to challenge the prime minister for the leadership, if he is elected to Parliament.

Speaking from the G7 summit, the prime minister said a leadership contest would be a "bad thing" for the country and reiterated that he intended to fight any challenge.

Sir Keir said the potential mayoral election would be "very important" and that his party were "going to have to pull our sleeves up to make sure that there is another Labour victory".

The prime minister also indicated that he would offer Burnham a cabinet job if he wins in Makerfield, telling reporters: "I hope he wins the by-election and he'll play big part in the Labour government."

The prime minister's warning comes as Labour MP Wes Streeting says he is prepared to trigger a leadership contest as soon as next week.

Streeting resigned as health secretary last month but has said he delayed making a leadership challenge until after the Makerfield by-election to give Burnham a chance to take part.