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We're recording this at 1233 on Sunday,

and in the last half hour, we have learnt that Labour's ruling body has decided to block Andy Burnham,

the self-styled King of the North, wildly popular in some parts of the Labour Party.

They've blocked him from making a comeback and standing in a by-election as an MP in Greater Manchester.

The reason for this is plain for all to see, is that Kier Starrmer and his allies did not want someone who is after his job, although he denies it,

to come back to Westminster and to be seen as a successor

who could strike at any moment to knock him out of number 10.

The problem it's now caused is there's going to be an almighty row

about whether Starmer and his allies have tried to block democracy

by thwarting Andy Burnham's

hoped for comeback. They've already angered some of the unions. They've angered lots of party

members. And frankly, many people will allege that Kier Stalmer simply looked scared of Andy

Burnham. Now, in a few minutes, you'll hear me, Paddy and Joe, trying to tot up those who

might vote for and

against on the insider committee of the National Executive Group of the Labour Party.

Now our tot up was that there were likely to be more people blocking Burnham than allowing

him to go ahead. But in the end, the tally was 8-1. As we understand it, the only person who voted to allow Andy Burnham to give him a green light was the deputy leader of the party Lucy Powell.

The official statement from the Labour Party has just dropped in and newscasters, because I know you love the detail.

I am going to read it in full. The statement says, directly elected mayors and police crime commissioners must seek the express permission of Labor's ruling body before seeking nomination as a Labour candidate.

That's in accordance with Chapter 5, Clause 4.2 of the Labour Party rulebook.

That's one to send you to sleep.

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