An investigation by The Sun has revealed that Andy Burnham is accused of downplaying his connections to Manchester City. Previously, he claimed to have had only one "significant meeting" with club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak. However, according to a subsequently deleted declaration of interests, during his time as Mayor of Greater Manchester, he was twice entertained in VIP boxes at the Etihad Stadium alongside Al Mubarak.

Records show that Burnham received hospitality and benefits from Manchester City worth approximately £1,200 in total. These details were documented in a declaration of interests he signed on 7 December 2020, but the document has since been removed from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) website.

Previously, Burnham promised to be transparent about his relationship with Manchester City. Manchester City is contesting the decision of an independent commission that found the club breached more than 100 Premier League rules.

Reform MP Robert Jenrick stated: "This entire situation raises serious concerns. Burnham appears to have lied about his extensive connections with Manchester City's owners. It is no surprise that he is so keen to protect them. Voters deserve a Prime Minister who is not tainted by such a scandal."

Shadow Sports Minister Louise French noted that the public still lacks sufficient information about these meetings, what was discussed, and any possible outcomes, questioning why Burnham remains silent.

Burnham previously stated he was "very concerned about the loss" of Manchester City's Abu Dhabi owners, and later had to clarify his remarks. Previously, sources in the UAE suggested that harsh sanctions against Manchester City could impact investment plans worth £30 billion.

On Monday, Burnham told the House of Commons that all his connections with Manchester City's owners would be disclosed. Within hours, the GMCA published a statement on his behalf saying he had attended Manchester City home matches as a guest "a small number of times."

Authorities acknowledged that Burnham had an informal meeting with Al Mubarak during former captain Vincent Kompany's farewell match in September 2019, but stated there was only one formal meeting, which took place at an investment summit organized by the government in October 2021. Although these meetings were declared in municipal documents, two pre-match dinners had not previously been mentioned.

On Sunday, Burnham stated on the podcast The Rest Is Politics that he is willing to be transparent about all his interactions with Manchester City during his time as Mayor of Greater Manchester. He emphasized that these events were recent and claimed he attended only one truly significant meeting — the one in 2021.

However, declarations of interests show that in August 2017, Burnham dined with then Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese and Al Mubarak. At the time, Manchester City was playing against Everton, the team Burnham supports. This hospitality, valued at £338, was provided by Manchester City.

During the Manchester derby in April 2018, Burnham again accepted hospitality from Al Mubarak, including food and seating worth £699. A month later, Manchester City also gave him two tickets to an Ed Sheeran concert worth £150, which was also held at the Etihad Stadium.

In February 2019, Burnham also attended Kompany's charity gala dinner at the Hilton Manchester. Among those present were Pep Guardiola, Manchester City players, and Oasis member Noel Gallagher. The event aimed to address homelessness in Manchester as part of the Tackle4MCR project, raising nearly £250,000 that evening.

In September that year, during Kompany's farewell match, Burnham was again photographed in warm conversation with Al Mubarak. These photographs later became the basis for public discussion about his relationship with Manchester City.

The aforementioned hospitality was recorded in Burnham's declaration of interests, filed and signed in December 2020, but records from his first mayoral term have now been removed from the website, while records from his second term remain available. The Sun stated it found an archived version of this document.

Additionally, two months after that 2017 dinner, the GMCA approved a £24.5 million loan to Manchester Life Development Company. This real estate project involved Manchester City Council and Abu Dhabi United Group, which is owned by Manchester City's owners, with Sir Richard Leese serving on the company's board at that time. After stepping down as council leader in December 2021, he later became Honorary President of Manchester City.

Three Manchester Life companies, controlled by Sheikh Mansour, received loans from authorities totaling approximately £55.7 million. Manchester Life states that all loans have been repaid with interest. The GMCA stated that all gifts and hospitality were declared in accordance with regulations.

The Sun also reported that Al Mubarak met with Jonathan Reynolds, Labour's Shadow Business Secretary, at 10 Downing Street in September this year. The newspaper previously reported that Labour politicians received nearly £300,000 in benefits and hospitality from the UAE and Manchester City, and revealed that Burnham attended a ceremony with a Manchester City delegation in 2018 to mark the opening of the club's second office in China.

Manchester City has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and appealed the independent commission's decision. The Prime Minister's office declined to comment.

Переведено ИИ.

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