ANDY Burnham’s leadership campaign risks being derailed — after taxpayers were stung £35,000 so he could pose with a newly-painted yellow train.
The Manchester Mayor was accused of staging a “vanity” photo op for a transport revamp last year despite staff privately admitting they had nothing to announce.
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Andy Burnham pictured beaming in front of a branded carriage which cost £35k Credit: Jason Roberts / Manchester Evening News
Burnham was confirmed as Labour candidate for next month’s Makerfield by-election, as he hopes to return as an MP to challenge Sir Keir Starmer Credit: Getty
He was yesterday confirmed as Labour candidate for next month’s Makerfield by-election, as he hopes to return as an MP so he can challenge Sir Keir Starmer as PM.
The veteran politician, who has railed against capitalism, was instantly endorsed by the hard-Left group Momentum as the “best placed candidate”.
But Reform UK leader Nigel Farage vowed to vanquish him in a “David vs Goliath” fight as he unveiled a plumber as his party’s rival candidate.
Mr Burnham has put his track-record in Manchester at the heart of his Westminster comeback bid.
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Yet the Tories last night criticised him over the public money spent turning a train yellow last December so he could promote his forthcoming Bee Network rail plan.
Emails obtained by The Jattvibe show staff at Transport for Greater Manchester saying: “Andy wants to do a one year out media moment in December . . . we haven’t really got anything to say.
“What’s your thoughts on the likelihood of us getting him a yellow train to stand in front of?”
A few months later, he was pictured beaming in front of a branded carriage.
Disclosures under Freedom of Information rules show the rebrand cost a total of £35,010.
Tory Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden said: “We’re now seeing what Burnham’s splurged taxpayers’ cash on, including £35,000 on a fake vanity photo op.”
Reform announced their candidate as local plumber Robert Kenyon.
Mr Farage said: “This by-election contest is now a David versus Goliath battle. This is the ‘The Plucky Plumber’ taking on ‘Open Borders Burnham’. Only Reform UK can beat Labour in this by-election.”
