Andy Burnham torn apart on BBC Newsnight as Labour MP takes six-word prime minister swipe

 Labour MP Neil Coyle has launched a scathing attack on Andy Burnham, who is expected to challenge Keir Starmer's leadership if he wins next month's by-election. The Greater Manchester mayor moved a step closer to a return to the Commons after Labour's National Executive Committee approved his bid to stand in the upcoming Makerfield by-election.

If elected, Burnham is expected to launch a leadership challenge as pressure on Sir Keir continues to grow following Labour's disastrous local election results. Coyle has now ripped into Burnham on BBC Newsnight, describing the politician as "a nightmare for the Labour Party". He said: "I don't think he can ride to the rescue. He's been a good mayor of Manchester, but a nightmare for the Labour Party".

Ever since Keir Starmer won a massive majority, Andy Burnham's been saying he wants to take over. Frankly, some of us are sick of it. There's a sense of entitlement about it all."

Coyle claimed he has been contacted by "dozens of members of the public" who have said, 'What on earth is he thinking? This is so unhelpful.'"

Presenter Matt Chorley pressed Coyle on whether he thinks it's a mistake for Sir Keir to allow Burnham to stand in the by-election.

"Keir has to make his own decisions, he's a clever and organised person and I'm sure he has a strategy. If I was on the NEC, I would not be changing the ruling from last year," Coyle responded.

Highlighting the costs of running a mayoral election in Greater Manchester and the by-election, which could reportedly reach £5 million, Coyle described it as a "terrible scenario".

He added: "It's entirely self-inflicted and the NEC should be stronger at standing up to the egos of one man. My constituents want us to do our job to improve the country and what they don't want is more politics.

"What Andy Burnham is bringing on us is more politics, more infighting and more psychodrama. One of my constituents said, 'King of the North, more like King Nuisance'."

It comes after Burnham promised not to "re-run" Brexit arguments, as he said he was not proposing the UK considers rejoining the European Union.

He said Brexit had been "damaging" but "Britain will be stuck in a permanent rut if we're just constantly arguing".

Last September, Burnham said that he would like to see the UK back in the EU within his lifetime.