Andy Burnham has revealed that Keir Starmer refused to speak to him before he was blocked from standing in the Gorton & Denton by-election. The Manchester mayor said he would have 'preferred' to speak to the PM before he was refused permission to be Labour's candidate. Mr Burnham insisted he had wanted to assure the premier he was not intending to 'undermine' him, but hinted again that he now fears the contest will be lost. The February 26 by-election is already threatening to turn nasty, with the Greens vowing to weaponise the issue of Gaza. But Mr Burnham said: 'I want this to be known as well: I spoke to senior people in the party, including the Home Secretary.