ANDY Burnham plans to make his wife the Queen of the South with a First Lady-style role in No 10.
The PM — known as the King of the North — wants to hire a media adviser and assistant for Marie-France van Heel, who’s known as Frankie to friends.
Andy Burnham with wife Marie-France van Heel Credit: Getty Images
The PM plans to make his wife ‘Queen of the South’ Credit: Getty
The marketing executive, a mum of three, faced scrutiny over her appearance and views in the run-up to him becoming Prime Minister in July.
A source revealed Downing Street aides had been asked to look out for a potential recruit for the aide job — the salary for which will come out of existing budgets.
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They said: “Spouses of Prime Ministers have made public appearances and championed causes in the past.
“But this would be a new step. Frankie has always been instrumental behind the scenes. However, this shows that she is going to take a more formal role in future.
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“Hers will be more like you see in the US where the First Lady is an official role.
“Burnham is not scared to do things differently.”
Marie-France, 56, attended her husband’s meeting with France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte when they visited Downing Street last week.
Burnham first met his future wife at Cambridge University in 1989 — soon before she famously appeared on Cilla Black’s Blind Date.
A source said: “There is plenty Marie-France would like to do. She’s passionate about charity work and has worked with Marie Curie, the Alzheimer’s Society and Great Ormond Street Hospital on brand and marketing strategies — so more like that should be expected.”
In the past, there has been controversy about the role of the PM’s wife.
During his years in power, Tony Blair’s missus Cherie was embroiled in a number of rows over her commercial activities.
More recently, Boris Johnson’s now-wife Carrie was accused of influencing key government policy.
