Andy Burnham under huge pressure over Manchester City meetings: 'This absolutely stinks!'

Andy Burnham under huge pressure over Manchester City meetings: 'This absolutely stinks!' Andy Burnham has been compared to Keir Starmer over his Manchester City meetings. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments By Aditi Rane , Reporter 17:33, Fri, Oct 23, 2026 Updated: 17:40, Fri, Oct 23, 2026 Andy Burnham has come under fire over his meetings with Manchester City bosses , after it emerged he met the club’s executives at least six times while serving as Greater Manchester mayor , despite previously referring to just one “significant” meeting with the club’s Abu Dhabi chiefs . Discussing the revelations on the Daily Expresso podcast, James Walker and JJ Anisiobi questioned Burnham’s transparency and compared the controversy to Sir Keir Starmer ’s past claims about his record on prosecuting grooming gangs. James said: “What is really dodgy is saying you've had one meeting with a guy and now it's come out you've had six and he stayed silent.” He added: “This just stinks of Starmer, right? This absolutely stinks of Starmer.” Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT James warned the row could damage Burnham’s carefully cultivated public image, saying: “This feels a bit like the beginning of the end for Burnham.” He continued: “A guy who's made his reputation being like, ‘I'm the nicest mayor in the country. I'm so successful. I've got a squeaky clean record. I'm not like that Westminster lot, me.’ 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 . “Well, you seem a little bit like you are.” Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT JJ also criticised the relationship, saying: “I think Burnham has become a little too close to Man City 's billionaire owners.” Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT However, James acknowledged that meetings between politicians and major businesses were not unusual, arguing that they could help attract investment. “Andy B is not the only person who's ever done this, right?” he said, adding that politicians from both Labour and the Conservatives had held meetings with business leaders to secure investment. Andy Burnham has come under scrutiny after it emerged he met Manchester City executives (Image: Getty) UK lorry giant with 6,750 vehicles crashes into administration — 130 jobs lost Bomb squad rush to major Bristol street and people evacuated over 'suspicious item' fears The controversy follows reports that Burnham met Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chief executive Ferran Soriano and former chief operating officer Roel de Vries. A previously deleted register of interests reportedly showed he received hospitality from Al Mubarak on two occasions. Burnham told MPs that his declaration of visits to the Etihad Stadium “on a small number of occasions” included two dinners with Al Mubarak. He has also said he did not discuss the Premier League investigation into Manchester City with the club’s owners. The meetings have drawn renewed scrutiny because Manchester City is facing an independent process over alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules. The club has maintained its innocence and appealed against the findings. The controversy has also raised questions about the potential economic impact of any punishment against the club. Sources in the United Arab Emirates have reportedly warned that severe sanctions could put billions of pounds of UK investment at risk. Burnham has previously expressed concern about losing the club’s Abu Dhabi owners, citing their contribution to Manchester’s development. The club’s investment has been associated with regeneration and facilities in east Manchester. Current Manchester mayor Bev Craig has also defended the distinction between the club’s alleged rule-breaking and the benefits its investment has brought to local communities. “If a football club has broken the rules, a football club should be punished for breaking the rules,” she said. She added that residents had benefited from developments including “a new library, a new leisure centre, a new sixth-form college”. Daily Expresso Premier League Manchester City FC Andy Burnham Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments