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Andy Burnham was charged today with faking the moment he learned that funding for the city’s level three lockdown had been cut to £ 22 million during a live press conference.
Conservative ministers condemned the mayor of Greater Manchester for “playing gallery” while criticizing the government after negotiations on the financial package collapsed yesterday.
During the call to the media, he was shown a message on a mobile phone, apparently informing him that only the £ 22 million ‘referral’ funding would be provided after he rejected an offer of an additional £ 60 million.
But Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said the final notice was delivered to the mayor at 2 pm yesterday, two hours earlier.
Health Minister Nadine Dorries slid the ‘box’ on Twitter.
But Mr Burnham de Labor denied having made up the scene, replying to Mrs Dorries: ‘For the sake of accuracy, Nadine, it was the moment when I was informed that we were receiving £ 22 million and nothing more.
That was before the £ 60 million was put back on the table. However, you are correct that I received a phone call at 2 pm to say that the government was walking away from the negotiations.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham faked the moment (pictured) he learned that funding for the city’s level three closure had been cut to £ 22 million during a live press conference revealed Robert Jenrick.
The Secretary of Communities today dismissed the claim that Mr Burnham found out the final figure on the package during last night’s explosive conference, instead claiming that he ‘called him on the phone and told him’ in advance
At the conference, he said the figure was “brutal” and accused the government of condemning people to “poverty.”
He added: ‘This is not right, they shouldn’t be doing this, crushing people trying to accept the least they can get away with.’
But, speaking to Sky News this morning, Jenrick said that Burnham already knew how much was being offered.
He said, ‘I called him and told him. We had several conversations throughout the morning, including with the Prime Minister, and I told him the latest news at 2 o’clock.
When asked if he felt that Mr. Burnham was “showing off” for the cameras, Mr. Jenrick replied, “I’m not in the least interested in scoring points. This is not about personalities or press conferences on the stairs of municipalities.
“Ultimately, this is an important public health situation and it is about ensuring that the people of Greater Manchester now receive the support they deserve.”
Reacting to Jenrick’s comments on Twitter, Rosetta Tickner said: ‘It confirmed what most of us already think: Burnham organized this whole media circus. Without any integrity. ‘
Gareth Quinn sarcastically added: ‘Who would have thought Andy Burnham would have put something up in front of the cameras? I am amazed at what I tell you. Shocked.’
Alan added: ‘Burnham got a call at 2pm yesterday to tell him what was going on, but no, he went to the call administered on scene in front of the press. Burnham would sell his soul.
After more than a week of bickering, Johnson unilaterally switched Greater Manchester to the highest level of restrictions last night, saying that Burnham had turned down an offer of £ 60 million of business support, in addition to £ 22 million for follow-up contacts and enforcement. .
Whitehall sources said a £ 55 million settlement was initially reached, but during a final phone call to seal the deal, Burnham caught the prime minister by surprise with a £ 65 million lawsuit.
The prime minister tried to commit £ 60 million, but a government source said: “Andy Burnham’s pride got in the way of a deal.”
Another source claimed that the mayor had told the prime minister that it was “important to him that he get more than Lancashire and Merseyside”, the other two areas are already at Level Three.
Boris Johnson insisted today that he would honor the £ 60 million package of business support for the region that he offered to the Labor mayor.
But Johnson said the money would now be “distributed to the counties” instead of going through the mayor’s office.
The prime minister also teased that he had a ‘great conversation’ with Sheffield City Mayor Dan Jarvis, who today agreed to a deal for South Yorkshire to upgrade to Level Three starting Saturday.
South Yorkshire has secured a £ 41m deal for contact tracing, enforcement and business support, and Jarvis attacked Burnham saying he had acted “responsibly” to reach an agreement.
In addition to the ban on households mixing indoors, pubs and bars will have to close from midnight on Saturday, as well as gambling shops, casinos and soft games.
However, gyms and leisure centers may remain open, and Liverpool has also eased its rules after a protest over double standards between regions. West Yorkshire leaders say they have been told he will not climb to Level Three this week.
Viewers were quick to respond to Jenrick’s comments, criticizing Burnham for not having ‘integrity’
The daily number of coronavirus cases, counted by the date the samples were taken, has dropped in key cities in recent days.
The latest dramatic move means 7.3 million people will be under the maximum level of restrictions by the weekend.
The amount given to South Yorkshire is roughly in line with that given to Merseyside and Lancashire, adjusted for the size of the population.
On BBC Radio 4’s Today show, Jenrick said that Burnham’s demands for “preferential treatment” is what caused the talks to deteriorate.
He said: ‘The Mayor of Greater Manchester was never willing to draw this to a conclusion. The public health situation was deteriorating.
A furious blame game erupted between Boris Johnson (right in PMQ) and Andy Burnham (left) after talks about a Level Three lockdown rescue fell through.
Frankly, it would have been irresponsible for the Government to allow this to continue for many more days without reaching a conclusion.
‘In a meeting with the prime minister, the prime minister offered £ 55 million, Andy Burnham asked for £ 65 million.
The Prime Minister said, “Look, let’s make a compromise and let’s do this for the good of the people of Greater Manchester.”
“Andy Burnham wasn’t willing to do it, so we had to act.”
Greater Manchester will be under Level 3 lockdown from midnight on Friday.
