A suspended Labour MP is expected to announce he is retiring, triggering a by-election.
Andrew Gwynne, who was suspended from Labour over offensive WhatsApps, will soon retire from his Gorton and Denton constituency in Greater Manchester on medical grounds, Sky News understands.
This would trigger a by-election.
The former Labour health minister is sitting as an independent while he awaits the results of a parliamentary standards investigation.
His departure could pave the way for Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to become an MP, a step he would need to take to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership.
One of the most popular figures in the Labour party, Mr Burnham has long been rumoured to be considering a return to Westminster politics.
After a series of resignations and sackings from Sir Keir’s close circle, rumours ramped up in September that Mr Burnham was looking to challenge the prime minister.
2027 Tour de France: Full route of famous cycling race’s return to the UK revealed
‘It made me feel so small’ says man turned away from hotel for being homeless
Ex-Man United star said heading ball ‘hasn’t helped’ following dementia diagnosis before death
Mr Gwynne’s constituency, on the outskirts of Manchester, has been seen as a potential seat for Mr Burnham for a while.
The suspended Labour MP has spoken about how debilitating mental illness and depression can be, including in a social media post on Monday.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive Breaking News alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News App. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
