Former Labour minister Andrew Gwynne is on the brink of standing down as an MP, ministers and party officials believe.
The move could potentially pave a way for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to return to the Commons and make a leadership challenge against Sir Keir Starmer.
Gwynne was elected as a Labour MP, but was suspended in 2025 after a newspaper reported offensive messages he sent in a WhatsApp Group.
His departure from the House of Commons would trigger a by-election in his Gorton and Denton constituency, which Labour won at the last election with a majority of 13,000. Gwynne has been contacted for coment.
One senior source told the that Gwynne had reached agreement on a pension on Thursday – which would allow him to retire as an MP on medical grounds – but cautioned that while they believed Gwynne’s departure was highly likely, it was not certain that an announcement would come today.
There has been speculation Burnham would like to replace Sir Keir as party leader, however he would only be able to enter any leadership race as a Labour MP.
Although a seat could become available in Greater Manchester, Burnham would need approval to run from Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) a body which is generally seen as being supportive of Sir Keir.
Several Labour sources said they expected the NEC to object on the grounds that Burnham standing for Parliament would in turn trigger a by-election for the Greater Manchester mayoralty, which would be seen as a drain on party funds as well as politically risky.
It is also possible that the NEC would insist that there should be an all-women shortlist of possible Labour candidates for a by-election in the Commons because a majority of the party’s MPs are currently men.
But others in the party questioned whether, even if the NEC blocked Burnham from standing, it would be able to survive a potential backlash from Labour MPs who would like him to return to parliament.
If selected as Labour’s candidate, he would still have to win a by-election in Gorton and Denton at a time when the party’s popularity is low – although recent polling suggests Labour could hold on to the seat.
In the 2024 general election, Gwynne won with 18,000 votes. The Reform UK candidate came second securing 5,000 votes, just ahead of the Greens who picked up 4,810 votes.
Burnham has previously not denied he could challenge Sir Keir, saying: “I’m not going to rule out what might or might not happen in the future.”
Asked about Gwynne’s potential resignation, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “I’m aware he’s had some very serious health challenges. And you know, for all of the other challenges he’s gone through and some of the difficulties he’s had, I wish him and his family well.
“Whether or not Andy will throw his hat into the ring, is for Andy to consider, and ultimately for party members to decide but we need strong candidates.”
“Whether it’s in government nationally, or whether it’s leading the city and the region locally, he makes a massive impact and makes a really big difference.”
Gwynne was sacked as a health minister and suspended from Labour last year after the Mail on Sunday published some of his private messages, including one disparaging an elderly constituent.
Gwynne apologised for offence cause and said he regretted “badly misjudged” comments in the WhatsApp group named Trigger Me Timbers.
The parliamentary commissioner for standards launched an investigation, which 11 months on has yet to be concluded.
