Andy Burnham has been confirmed as the Labour candidate in the crucial Makerfield by-election. The party's governing body, the National Executive Committee (NEC), approved his candidacy on Tuesday after deciding to give the Greater Manchester Mayor the green light to run last week.
Mr Burnham previously described the Makerfield by-election as 'the most consequential of our lives'. This is a breaking news story, and more details are expected to follow.
