Daily Express, on UK Politics, 6 November 2026

6.0out of 10Serious

Andy Burnham under fire as : 'Come clean!'

Tap a highlight to see why it matters.3 findings

Andy Burnham under fire as new Abu Dhabi files revealed: 'Come clean!' Andy Burnham faces questions over a broadband deal that could benefit the UAE. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments By Rebecca Robinson 07:00, Fri, Nov 6, 2026 Inside Andy Burnham's ties Man City and the UAE | Expresso 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 £800 million in CityFibre, and is expected to inject it with another £900 million in funding. about whether the Prime Minister was personally involved in the decision to lobby the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on behalf of CityFibre.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT 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, ... Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Nigel Farage makes major Reform UK announcement in speech Nigel Farage’s tough new defence chief issues shocking six-word warning to Vladimir Putin Andy Burnham has come under fire. (Image: Getty) "So British companies are losing out because contracts are going across.

It cuts out competition. It's terrible." Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT 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 Burnham’s cosy relationship with Manchester City ’s 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. Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you.

This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . Mr Burnham had a formal meeting with Mr Al Mubarak at an investment summit, chatted to him in the stands at a star player’s testimonial game and was accompanied by staff from the club on official overseas visits. Details of the Prime Minister’s 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 “all of my dealings” with Manchester City’s owners would be published. See more of the stories you love from Daily Express and find us easily in Google by making us a Preferred Source. Free and easy-to-do, just click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings. Andy Burnham Broadband Manchester City FC Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments

Read the original article on express.co.uk (opens in a new tab)
What we found (3)

The Daily Express prints its own podcast host saying contracts are going "to the Arabs", turning an Emirati sovereign wealth fund into an ethnic group, and adds no comment. In its own voice it says questions are "swirling" when it shows only that host and one shadow minister asking them. It leaves until near the end that the combined authority released the files.

  1. Vilifies a community

    Serious

    “they're giving it, seemingly, to the Arabs”

    Why this matters
    The Express prints its own podcast host describing the beneficiaries as "the Arabs", an ethnic group, and sets them against "British businesses". It adds no comment.
    The impression it gives
    A reader takes in a picture of Arabs as a people taking wealth that should go to Britons.
    The context
    The article's own account names a single investor, an Emirati sovereign wealth fund, and no wider people. The Express lets its own presenter turn a state fund into an ethnic group without challenge.

    How we know

    • Elsewhere in the article“part-owned by an Emirati sovereign wealth fund”

    Show it in the article

  2. Buries what answers the charge

    Minor

    “new Abu Dhabi files revealed”

    Why this matters
    The Express says files were "revealed" and pairs this with "Come clean!", as if hidden material had been exposed against Burnham's will.
    The impression it gives
    A reader believes the files were uncovered or leaked, and that Burnham has been concealing his dealings.
    The context
    The article says only at its end that the details were released by the combined authority, and that Burnham had told MPs all his dealings with the club's owners would be published.

    How we know

    • Elsewhere in the article“were released by the combined authority”
    • Elsewhere in the article“Manchester City’s owners would be published”

    Show it in the article

  3. Uses a loaded word

    Minor

    “Questions are now swirling”

    Why this matters
    In its own voice the Express says questions are "swirling".
    The impression it gives
    A reader believes there is wide concern about Burnham's involvement.
    The context
    The only people the article shows asking are its own podcast host and one shadow minister.

    How we know

    • Elsewhere in the article“Mr Anisiobi echoed these concerns on the podcast”

    Show it in the article

Spot something we missed? Report this article

More from Daily Express

  1. 6 NovPolice show exactly where they stand on flashing lights to warn other drivers0.0
  2. 6 NovAndy Burnham warned over slavery apology - 'he'll be asked for money next'6.0
  3. 6 NovAndy Burnham’s £140 car tax rule change - starts in April 20276.0
  4. 6 NovAmbulance crew and police ‘attacked with fireworks’ during shocking Bonfire Night violence0.0
  5. 6 NovTerrified mum shares conscription fears for young son on BBC Question Time3.0

Everything we scored from Daily Express