Downing Street is involved in a plot to derail Andy Burnham’s hopes of returning to parliament, allies of the Greater Manchester mayor have claimed.

Fears have been raised that the Labour leadership will “soft-play” support for Mr Burnham in the by-election, asking MPs to campaign for him but not setting a three-line whip.

Labour MPs have also been told by allies of the beleaguered prime minister that Mr Burnham could bring back former leader Jeremy Corbyn, who was expelled from the party in 2024 due to a row over antisemitism.

Many Labour backbenchers believe that the party does not stand a chance in Makerfield, where Reform recently won almost all the council seats. Sources indicated that Reform was set to announce local plumber and councillor, Robert Kenyon, as its candidate, but it could now be Dr David Bull, who stepped down as party chairman on Monday afternoon.

A source close to Sir Keir has conceded that if Mr Burnham wins in Makerfield “then he will almost certainly become prime minister”.

Polling experts Professor Sir John Curtice and Lord Robert Hayward also said that Mr Burnham will become the next Labour leader if he wins the by-election.

Allies of former health secretary Wes Streeting have scoffed at the idea that stopping Mr Burnham getting elected will save the prime minister, warning that thousands of activists are ready to campaign for a candidate ready to unseat him.

But in a sign that the fight is going to get nasty, a close ally of the prime minister said: “You have to look at what the price is for the support of the Socialist Campaign Group on the left for Andy. It could be bringing Corbyn back and a hard line on Israel. How would that work when we have peak antisemitism as a problem at the moment, not least with the attack in Manchester? That’s what colleagues need to think about.”

Sir Keir said on Monday that he would support “100 per cent” whoever is the Labour candidate for the seat, which is seen as a two-horse race between Reform and Labour.

But he insisted he will not set a timetable for his departure.

Asked about setting a date for standing down, he said: “I’m not going to do that. It is obviously a very important by-election.

“Can I be really clear, as I was with my staff as well, it is a fight between Labour and Reform. It’s a very important fight.

“I will be backing 100 per cent whoever the candidate is – they’re not quite chosen yet, but soon to be chosen – whoever the Labour candidate is. I’ll be 100 per cent behind them.”

Meanwhile, a furious deputy prime minister David Lammy accused Labour MPs of “scoring a spectacular own goal” and “shooting ourselves in the foot” by trying to depose Sir Keir.

But a key ally of Mr Burnham on the left of the party told The Independent: “Anyone who thought the political culture inside Labour and No 10, the culture that appointed Peter Mandelson, somehow died with the departure of Morgan and Mandelson, now has their answer.

“The party, its members, its voters and the country deserve better than a politics run by cliques, patronage and self-preservation. That culture has done enough damage already.”

Mr Burnham, meanwhile, made a major speech in Leeds seen by many as laying out his agenda if he was to become prime minister.

He made little secret of his ambition, he used a confident address to tell his audience he wanted to talk about the “big changes” he believes are required in the way Britain is run.

He also said that a vote for him – if he is selected for the by-election – was a “vote to make life more affordable again… to power up places… to re-industrialise”.

Prof Curtice said: “It’s going to be Burnham [as Labour leader] if he wins in Makerfield.”

“Streeting is not popular inside the Labour Party. It’s difficult to see how he wins.

“So if Burnham isn’t in the race, it’s probably Rayner rather than Miliband. And Rayner only narrowly beats Starmer, so it depends on whether she can convince the party to get behind her.”

Lord Hayward suggested that Mr Streeting’s intervention on rejoining the EU was the one thing which could derail Mr Burnham in a strongly leave voting constituency.

He said: “When Andy Burnham declared I immediately thought he would win, not by a large margin but would get over the line because he is so well known in the Greater Manchester area. That was despite Reform sweeping the seats in Wigan in the recent local elections.

“But when Wes Streeting made his speech and called for the UK to rejoin the EU, I changed my mind. I think Andy Burnham could now lose because this was such a pro-Leave seat. It is not definite but there is significant doubt over him winning.

“It would seem like a clever move by Streeting to sabotage Burnham’s chances.”

A close ally of the PM warned that the Sir Keir believes the “incredibly broad” coalition of support for Mr Burnham within Labour is “already fracturing.”

The source noted that Blue Labour on the right with a pro-Israel, tough on immigration and anti-trans stance is supporting the Greater Manchester mayor along with the Socialist Campaign Group which is anti-Israel, opposes immigration measures and supports trans rights.

“We are only three days into the [by-election] campaign and that coalition of support is already fracturing. Andy cannot just hold it together through personality alone. He is going to have to make decisions on positions and compromises. That’s going to annoy different supporters.”

The source added: “The Brexit issue is a classic problem for Andy. He cannot say he wants to rejoin the EU but does not want to talk about it in a by-election in a pro-Leave seat. You cannot avoid the questions.

“Our positions have come through difficult compromises which the PM has stood by and Andy will need to do the same thing.”

But an ally of Mr Streeting told The Independent: “If Starmer thinks that stopping Andy will save him then he’s deluded.

“We have hundreds of defeated candidates waiting to campaign against the PM because they are so angry.

“Wes will definitely stand even if Burnham loses in Makerfield and I am certain from the feedback I am getting that he would defeat Starmer.”

‘This is the most amazing product I have ever used. I am in my 80s and thought at my age I had nothing to lose. My skin looks fabulous and my big under eye bags have almost diminished’

A collagen supplement costing as little as 95p per day is gaining attention after one shopper said her granddaughter was ‘convinced’ they had Botox after using it consistently. The Reverse Life Original Marine Collagen is currently available with 10% off using the code REACH10.

Each bundle options work out at different daily prices depending on the size of the order, with larger multi-bottle purchases offering the best value per serving. The one exception is the trial 20-day supply bottle, already discounted from £40 – is now £18 with the discount, working out to 90p-a-day. This deal auto-enrols shoppers for 3 bottles for £59 (60 day supply, 98p-a-day) after the trial period. The 20-day supply.

The 100 day supply is reduced to £98.10 from £109, while the 120 day supply is reduced to £117.72 from £130.90 – both working out at 98p a day. Shoppers can also save more with the subscription option. The liquid supplement combines 10,000mg of hydrolysed marine collagen with hyaluronic acid, vitamins C and D, zinc and biotin.

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Designed to support skin, hair, nails and joints, the formula is made to be highly bioavailable thanks to its liquid format, helping the body absorb it more efficiently. According to the brand, 85% of people in consumer trials reported more hydrated-looking skin within 20 days of use.

Reverse Life has built up a strong following, with almost 15,000 Trustpilot reviews and more than 19 million doses sold since launch. The supplement has recently received the M-Tick accreditation from GenM, recognising products designed to support menopause-related wellbeing.

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The liquid supplement combines 10,000mg of hydrolysed marine collagen with hyaluronic acid, vitamins C and D, zinc and biotin.

If this isn’t the one for everyone, Lookfantastic has Myvitamins Collagen Tablets for £15.99 on the website. It contains 30 capsules of ‘hydrolysed form of collagen’.

Boots also has the Bioglan Beauty Collagen 2500mg Tablets 90s for £30, costing £1 a day. These are said to support healthy hair, firmer skin and strong nails, and also contain skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and resveratrol.

The Reverse Life Original Marine Collagen has been rated highly online, with one shopper saying: “This is the most amazing product I have ever used. I am in my 80s and thought at my age I had nothing to lose. My skin looks fabulous and my big under eye bags have almost diminished. My granddaughter was convinced that I had used Botox.

“You must use daily and don’t miss a dose. It takes a couple of weeks before you see results but I have now been using it for a few months and I know I look great. The longer you take it the better you look. I have just received my delivery again today. 5 bottles I make sure I am well stocked. It works out cheaper when you by in multiples. I absolutely LOVE REVERSE LIFE.”

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Some people removed a star however as one said: “I’ve been using this product for a little while now. It takes a little long to show the results. Just now slowly I’m starting to see them. I guess everyone is different. I’m happy with the delivery, it arrived on time and the company of the product, sent it just on time, which I’m happy with.”

But overall, most people were pleased and said: “Always so easy to order, brilliant products it really does work and free gifts, good customer service.”

Reverse Life Original Marine Collagen is currently available for 15% off with the code REACH15.

Barry George had his murder conviction quashed in 2007 and has denied raping a teenage girl in a new case

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Barry George, who was accused of murdering newsreader Jill Dando, has denied raping a teenager almost 40 years ago.

TV presenter Dando was shot dead outside her London home in 1999. George was sentenced to life imprisonment for her murder but in 2007, had his conviction overturned through the Court of Appeal.

The 66-year-old, of County Cork, Republic of Ireland, has now appeared before a court on suspicion of raping a 14-year-old girl almost four decades ago.

George pleaded not guilty at Southwark Crown Court on Monday to one count of rape and two counts of indecent assault. Appearing via video-link, he also denied an alternative offence of attempted rape, reports The Mirror.

The incidents are alleged to have taken place in the Hammersmith and Fulham area of west London between September 6 and 12, 1987.

He will next appear at the court on September 30 for a trial date to be set. Judge Alexander Milne KC granted George bail.

George was arrested on suspicion of murder in 2000, a year after Ms Dando was killed. He was convicted in 2001, but the conviction was quashed in November 2007 by the Court of Appeal and he was cleared by a jury in August 2008 after a retrial.

Former Crimewatch presenter Ms Dando, 37, was one of the BBC’s highest-profile stars when she was shot outside her home in Fulham, west London, on April 26, 1999.

No-one has been convicted of her killing since.

Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments

Monster Raving Loony Party antics

The Official Monster Raving Loony Party’s leader Alan ‘Howlin’ Laud Hope has expressed his intention to contest the Makerfield by-election.

This is the by-election in which Labour leadership hopeful Andy Burnham is hoping to see off Reform and pave his way to No.10.

Laud Hope should stand on a platform of keeping Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister, since that will not be the policy of any other candidate. David Lindsay, Lancaster

Is voting for Reform ‘blind?

I am sick and tired of people like TG (MetroTalk, Wed) talking about people who ‘blindly’ voted for Reform.

These people didn’t vote ‘blindly’ – they voted with a clear and concise mind as having seen the Conservatives on trial for 14 years followed by along another bunch of stupids, led by the most boring chap in politics, to make a mess of it all.

If that’s not enough to make you look beyond the two mainstream parties then get with the programme, TG, you old-fashioned I’m-afraid-of-change fud.

No one is voting blind – it’s all to do with performance and it does not matter who Labour puts in, they are finished.

Likely as always this will never be published as it’s probably a Labour ‘icky’ reading this with bias. Peter, Bexley

‘Hardly an excuse why Brexit failed to gift us any improvements’

Julian (MetroTalk, Mon) says EU fans cannot provide any negative impacts of note Brexit has had on the UK but then relies on false information and excuses about Covid and the war in Ukraine.

Both of these events have affected the economy of countries across the world, not just our own, so they are hardly excuses for why Brexit has struggled to gift us any improvements.

And while Julian is correct that we have increased our trade with the
rest of the world, he avoids that
when we were a member of the EU, we were paid hundreds of billions for our exports.

But while we are now ‘free’ to trade with the rest of the world, the deals our governments have since managed to arrange fact bring in a fraction of the money we previously saw.

And that’s on top of all the additional paperwork and fees we face for products to be shipped through Europe – all the red tape we were warned we’d have to deal with if we left the EU.

Although I imagine, just like back in the day, this will be something else Julian brushes off as ‘Project Fear’ cwhile burying his head in the sand because he doesn’t want to hear about all the real issues. Matthew, Birmingham

‘Do cabinet members accept no responsibility forth government’s unpopularity?’

The blame for the current situation with the Labour Party (and British politics in general) all seems to have landed at the feet of the current PM.

Do the cabinet members accept no responsibility for the government’s unpopularity? If not, what have they been doing for the past two years?

The problem is not the current leader but all those who want to have a go at the job to boost their egos rather than showing a united front.

I sincerely hope the farce unfolding in Manchester with its mayor/wannabe Labour leader-in-waiting Andy Burnham, leaves them with egg on their faces – losing an MP in Makerfield and a mayor might just teach them a lesson about duty and loyalty.

However, I suspect if this happens it will just again be laid on the shoulders of Sir Keir Starmer and not seen as reflection of their arrogance. Alan, Watford

Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments

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Barry George, 66, pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and two counts of indecent assault

The man cleared of murdering TV presenter Jill Dando has denied raping a 14-year-old girl almost 40 years ago.

Barry George, 66, of County Cork, Republic of Ireland, pleaded not guilty at Southwark Crown Court on Monday to one count of rape and two counts of indecent assault. Appearing via video-link, he also denied an alternative offence of attempted rape.

The incidents are alleged to have taken place in the Hammersmith and Fulham area of west London between September 6 and 12 1987, The Mirror reports.

He will next appear at the court on September 30 for a trial date to be set. Judge Alexander Milne KC granted George bail.

George was arrested on suspicion of murder in 2000, a year after Ms Dando was killed. He was convicted in 2001, but the conviction was quashed in November 2007 by the Court of Appeal and he was cleared by a jury in August 2008 after a retrial.

Former Crimewatch presenter Ms Dando, 37, was one of the BBC’s highest-profile stars when she was shot outside her home in Fulham, west London, on April 26 1999.

No-one has been convicted of her killing since.

The pupil from Blackwood was on a school trip to the Dolygaer Outdoor Centre when he plunged from a zip wire

A 10-year-old boy is in hospital after falling more than 20ft from a zip wire at an activities centre in Merthyr Tydfil. The boy was on a school trip from Libanus Primary school in Blackwood to the Dolygaer Outdoor Centre when the incident occurred.

The outdoor adventure centre said they were committed to the highest standards of safety and would ensure they cooperated fully with any investigations.

After the child fell from the zip wire, on-site staff and a teacher immediately provided first aid. The pupil also received medical care from a mountain rescue professional before he was taken to the Prince Charles Hospital Children’s Unit in Merthyr Tydfil by paramedics.

A spokesperson for Dolygaer Outdoor Centre said: “An incident occurred involving a 10-year-old student from a visiting school.

“At approximately 8pm, the student was involved in a fall. On-site staff and a teacher responded immediately to provide first aid. Medical care was further supported by a Mountain Rescue professional.

“The student was transferred to the care of paramedics, and we understand he is now recovering in hospital.

“Our primary concern is the wellbeing of the student and their family, as well as the students and staff who witnessed this event. We are continuing to work closely with the school to provide necessary reassurance and support.

“Dolygaer remains committed to the highest standards of safety and will be cooperating fully with any further inquiries”. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Nicola Williams, Executive Head teacher of Libanus Primary School said, “We can confirm that a pupil from the school was involved in an accident at a local activity centre last week and the whole school community wishes him a full and speedy recovery.

“The safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff is paramount and we will be fully supporting the investigation into the cause of the incident.”

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At around 4pm today, Monday, May 18, Greater Manchester Police responded to reports of an aggressive male on Trinity Street.

Police arrived and found a man, 53, who matched the description. He was then detained and searched.

He was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and now awaits further questioning as he remains in custody.

A GMP statement said: “A short while ago, PC Sharples responded to reports of an aggressive male on Trinity Street, Bolton town centre.

“Upon arrival, a male matching the given description was detained and searched.

“The male, aged 53, has been arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, and remains in custody for questioning.”

Tom Kane, the voice actor best known for lending his voice to the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars series and The Powerpuff Girls, has died at the age of 64.

Kane died Monday, his talent agency, Galactic Productions, announced on Facebook. No other details about where and how he died were provided.

“From his unforgettable performances in Star Wars to countless animated series, documentaries, and games, Tom brought wisdom, strength, humor, and heart to every role he touched. His voice became part of our lives, our memories, and the stories we carry with us,” the post read.

“Though his voice may now be silent, the characters, stories, and love he gave to the world will live on forever,” it continued. “But beyond the incredible career was an extraordinary man. Tom was a devoted husband and father who, alongside his wife, built a loving family of nine children — three biological and six welcomed through adoption and fostering.”

Kane voiced Yoda, the narrator and Admiral Yularen in the seven-season animated series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which premiered in 2008 and aired its final season in 2020.

Beyond Clone Wars, his Star Wars work expanded into video games and movies, including the 2017 movie Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi.

Kane retired from voice acting in September 2021 after a debilitating stroke in 2020 left him largely unable to speak.

More to come