DEVELOPING: Andy Burnham Issues Scathing Challenge to Starmer, Stakes Claim as Key Player in Labour Leadership Battle

Breaking News: Andy Burnham Issues Scathing Challenge to Starmer, Stakes Claim as Key Player in Labour Leadership Battle Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has confirmed he's been approached by Labour MPs about replacing Sir Keir Starmer as party leader. In a direct challenge, Burnham said it's "more a decision for those people than it is for me" when asked if he'd consider the role. Burnham made the comments in an interview with The Telegraph, sparking immediate speculation about his leadership ambitions. This development comes just days before Labour's annual conference, where tensions between Starmer and potential challengers are expected to come to a head. The 2012 parallels with David Cameron and Boris Johnson are striking, but this is no coy flirtation. Burnham has been a vocal critic of the government and has built a reputation as a straight-talking leader in Manchester. As Labour's leadership battle heats up, Burnham's intervention will be closely watched by party members and MPs. The question on everyone's lips now is: what next for Andy Burnham? This is a developing story. We will provide updates as more information becomes available. *This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Based on reporting from Bbc.*