Andy Burnham accused of failing to give a ‘straight answer’ after refusing to say if he was due to meet chairman of cheating Manchester City

Andy Burnham declined to say whether he had a meeting scheduled with Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak in September, prompting renewed criticism over transparency about his dealings with the club’s owners. The question matters because Burnham had publicly backed the owners’ contribution to Manchester and had said he was willing to disclose his contacts with them.

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority has published details of two hospitality dinners, while reports say Burnham met City officials at least six times as mayor. Downing Street says he did not attend a separate meeting between Al Mubarak and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, and has not met City’s owners since becoming Prime Minister in July. Manchester City was found guilty of most Premier League financial charges, including disguising £900 million in payments, but has appealed and denies wrongdoing.