A former Labour minister who had the whip removed over offensive WhatsApp messages has stood down as an MP, clearing the way for Sir Keir Starmer’s potential leadership rival Andy Burnham.
Andrew Gwynne, the MP for Gorton and Denton, had previously denied that he was intending to vacate the seat, saying in September that the “route to No 10” was not going to be through his seat. But Mr Gwynne, who has been away from Parliament on sick leave, announced his resignation on Thursday afternoon.