Andy Burnham has been reported to police over claims he may have breached Covid lockdown rules.
Tens of thousands of voters are set to go to the polls in Makerfield today in what is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched by-elections in recent British politics.
But just hours before polling stations open, a heated row has broken out between Reform UK and the Mayor of Greater Manchester.
Reform alleges it was informed that Burnham may have broken Covid restrictions by hosting a gathering at his Warrington home during the summer of 2021.
On Sunday, the party passed the allegation to police. Greater Manchester Police later confirmed it was reviewing the claim.
The accusation relates to the number of teenagers reportedly present at the property when firefighters attended a blaze in the early hours of 10 June 2021.
People familiar with the incident told The Telegraph that “at least two” teenagers were inside the home alongside Burnham, his wife, and their two daughters.
As crews dealt with the fire, the teenagers were reportedly collected afterwards by their families.
At the time, Covid rules limited indoor gatherings to a maximum of six people, unless two households were involved. Even then, breaches could still result in fines of up to £200.
Reform councillor Paul Watson in Wigan called on police to secure Fire and Rescue Service records, saying they should include details of those present and observations made by crews.
In a letter sent on Sunday, he described the issue as “time-sensitive and in the public interest”, arguing voters in Makerfield deserved clarity before heading to the ballot box if any breach had occurred.
Greater Manchester Police later told Reform it would not pursue the matter, saying the legal time limit for bringing any action had already passed.
The force confirmed no further investigation would take place.
Sources close to Burnham dismissed the claims as “completely baseless”, accusing Reform of making “desperate attacks on the eve of polling”.
Watson, however, insisted he was not asking police to accept the claims outright, but to examine them properly.
In response, Burnham’s team pointed to an email from senior figures at the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and the Combined Authority.
The message stated that six people were recorded as being in the house at the time of the fire — a number that would have complied with Covid regulations.
A spokesperson for the Mayor confirmed there had been a fire at his home but denied any breach of the rules.
Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes said police had concluded the issue was not a matter for investigation due to statutory time limits.
He explained that alleged Covid breaches were subject to a three-year limit for legal proceedings, which had now expired.
“We have carefully reviewed the legislation and will not be taking any further action,” he said.
Burnham’s bid in Makerfield followed political upheaval after several ministers resigned in the wake of Labour’s poor local election results.
Wes Streeting resigned in May, criticising the Government’s lack of “vision” and calling it a “vacuum”.
The following day, MP Josh Simons stepped aside, paving the way for Burnham’s return bid, describing the constituency as a place he had long been connected to.
Voters now face a tight contest, with polls suggesting a close race between Labour and Reform.
In the final stretch of campaigning, Burnham criticised Reform candidate Robert Kenyon, warning against what he described as a more divided political culture.
Reform leader Nigel Farage, meanwhile, urged voters to back his party’s candidate, saying a vote for anyone else would effectively help Labour.
