Union boss warns against Labour ‘control-freakery’ over Andy Burnham

Unison's Andrea Egan among several figures to speak out against any moves to rig selection for Gorton and Denton byelection

The boss of Britain's biggest union has warned Labour to ensure a democratic process in the Gorton byelection, amid signs a Stop Andy Burnham" campaign is under way to prevent him posing a threat to Keir Starmer.

Andrea Egan, the general secretary of Unison, who started in the job on Thursday, appeared to stand against the prospect of a stitch-up in the contest as she warned against control-freakery" in the party.