UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to release details of his meetings with senior Manchester City figures. The move follows criticism of his comments on the club’s financial rule breaches.
Burnham served as mayor of Greater Manchester before entering the House of Commons in June. Critics have questioned his ties to the club’s Abu Dhabi owners. They have also raised concerns about his efforts to attract Gulf investment to the region.
Burnham promises to disclose meetings
An independent commission found that Manchester City had artificially inflated its financial results by more than £900 million ($1.2 billion).
Speaking on The Rest is Politics podcast, Burnham promised to disclose his dealings with the club while serving as mayor.
“I’ve been asked by the leader of the opposition to publish details of my meetings, which I’m happy to do and I’m going to,” Burnham told The Rest is Politics. “I will quite clearly put out there everything that I have done working with them in my previous role as mayor of Greater Manchester.”
In an excerpt from the podcast, Burnham said he held only “one significant meeting.” He said the meeting took place in 2021.
His pledge follows a demand from Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party. She called on the prime minister’s office to publish details of all his meetings with senior Manchester City figures.
Burnham faces scrutiny over comments
Burnham has denied downplaying the commission’s findings. He had earlier said he would be “really concerned” if the club’s owners decided to sell their stake after the judgment.
The ownership group includes Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates. US investment firm Silver Lake also holds a stake in the club.
Burnham’s comments have raised concerns among senior lawmakers and Foreign Office officials. They appear to conflict with recent laws that bar politicians from influencing cases involving football clubs.
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