Andy Burnham under fire as new Abu Dhabi files revealed: ‘Come clean!’ | Politics | News
Andy Burnham has been urged to “come clean” over a “huge plot” to help the United Arab Emirates (UAE) benefit from a major broadband deal. While Mayor of Manchester, Mr Burnham’s office backed a merger between British firm Substantial and CityFibre, which is part-owned by an Emirati sovereign wealth fund whose chief executive, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, is also the chairman of Manchester City. In 2021/22, the UAE invested ยฃ800 million in CityFibre, and is expected to inject it with another ยฃ900 million in funding.
Questions are now swirling about whether the Prime Minister was personally involved in the decision to lobby the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on behalf of CityFibre.
On the latest episode of the Daily Express’ podcast, the Daily Expresso, host JJ Anisiobi called on the Prime Minister to answer the questions and “come clean” to the British public. He said: “Burnham, you’ve gotta come clean.
“You’ve gotta come clean and answer the questions, because it seems like there has been a huge plot from Andy Burnham to help the United Arab Emirates land a massive broadband deal here in the UK, but also several other deals across Manchester.”
He added: “The people who get awarded those contracts are gonna make billions and billions more back. So instead of that going to British businesses, British companies, British firms, they’re giving it, seemingly, to the Arabs…
“So British companies are losing out because contracts are going across. It cuts out competition. It’s terrible.”
Shadow sports minister Louie French also urged Mr Burnham to “come clean” and questioned the extent of his involvement in lobbying the CMA.
She said: “These revelations raise fresh concerns about Mr Burnhamโs cosy relationship with Manchester Cityโs owners. He must come clean: What is his explanation for this lobbying?”
Mr Anisiobi echoed these concerns on the podcast, stating: “We need to know if the Prime Minister was personally involved in this lobbying. We need to know that. Who was involved in the decision to lobby the CMA on behalf of CityFibre?”
Downing Street declined to comment.
Mr Burnham had a formal meeting with Mr Al Mubarak at an investment summit, chatted to him in the stands at a star playerโs testimonial game and was accompanied by staff from the club on official overseas visits.
Details of the Prime Ministerโs contacts with the scandal-hit club and its Abu Dhabi owners during his time as Greater Manchester mayor were released by the combined authority.
Mr Burnham told MPs that โall of my dealingsโ with Manchester Cityโs owners would be published.
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