Andy Burnham sworn in as new Makerfield MP

Andy Burnham has been officially sworn in as Makerfield's new MP amid loud cheers from his Labour colleagues in the House of Commons.

Just hours earlier, Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation both as prime minister and Labour leader.

Former Greater Manchester Mayor Burnham, who won the Makerfield by-election by 9,000 votes last week after seeing off a challenge from Reform UK, has confirmed he wants to succeed Starmer.

The by-election was triggered when Labour's Josh Simons stood down to make way for Burnham, who represented the neighbouring Greater Manchester constituency of Leigh between 2001 until 2017, when he became mayor.

Burnham bowed his head several times as he made his way through the Commons chamber and grinned as he was greeted by his colleagues.

Former health secretary Wes Streeting has announced he will back Burnham's leadership bid.

Streeting resigned from the government last month, saying he had lost confidence in Starmer's leadership.

Before catching a train to London, Burnham said farewell to his staff at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

He was given a Manchester-themed armchair as a leaving present, embroidered with bees - the symbol of Manchester - and the Manchester skyline.

It also contains the phrase "we do things differently here" on it.

Burnham "thanked staff from the bottom of his heart" as he appeared at a staff meeting before leaving Manchester.

He became emotional as he told the assembled crowd that the job of Greater Manchester mayor had been the "privilege" of his life.

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