Burnham defends City owners

Prime Minister Andy Burnham faced criticism after saying he would be really concerned if Manchester City's Abu Dhabi owners sold the club following its financial breaches.

“really concerned”

City found to breach rules

An independent commission found Manchester City arranged sham commercial deals with sponsors during a period, part of a disguised funding scheme funded by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan's Abu Dhabi United Group Investment and…

Downing Street issues clarifications

Downing Street was forced to issue two clarifications of the prime minister's position, with a spokesperson insisting the guilty verdict against the club is serious.

Burnham separates two issues

Burnham said the football issues and investment issues are separate and should not be conflated. He had one significant meeting with City owners in two thousand twenty-one while mayor of Greater Manchester.

“The football issues are different from the investment issues”

Opposition demands full disclosure

Opposition leaders including Kemi Badenoch and Louie French called for Burnham to publish everything related to his work with the club and all contacts since becoming prime minister.

Burnham agrees to publish details

Burnham agreed to put out everything he had done working with City's owners in his previous role as mayor, saying he would publish all details of his meetings.

“I will quite clearly put out there everything that I have done working with them”