𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Andy Burnham has reportedly done a secret deal to run as an MP in May as he ramps up his plot to oust Keir Starmer. The Manchester mayor has seemingly stepped up his plans for a bombshell comeback as Sir Keir continues to fare disastrously as Prime Minister.

It is believed that shamed MP Andrew Gwynne will announce he is standing down from his seat of Gorton and Denton in March to make way for him. Insiders say Labour rebel Jim McMahon has told colleagues a deal is “sewn up”.

Gwynne now sits as an Independent MP after being sacked when he reportedly “joked” on WhatsApp that he hoped a pensioner constituent died before the next election.

Mr Burnham will then contest the seat in a by-election on May 7, local election day, according to the Sun on Sunday.

Mr McMahon outlined the details to about half a dozen Labour MPs in the House of Commons tearoom.

A Labour source said: “He was boasting in the tearoom saying that a deal has all been sewn up.

“Gwynne is stepping down in March and Andy will run in May.

“After months of talk it looks like they are on.”

Mr McMahon was Angela Rayner’s number two in the Housing Department.

A former Starmer loyalist, he became a critic after being sacked in a reshuffle last year.

He is one of the “Manchester Mafia” whose plot to install Mr Burnham as PM is dubbed the “Etihad Coup” after Man City’s stadium.

The Burnham plot will be a nightmare for Sir Keir, whose poll ratings have plummeted since the election.

He is now the most unpopular Prime Minister ever.

It raises the stakes on his “reset” — and makes the chances of a leadership challenge this year more likely.

Mr Burnham declined to comment. Mr Gwynne said: “I won’t be announcing any such thing in March.”

Mr McMahon did not respond to requests for comment.