Burnham latest: Reeves backs Makerfield MP to become prime minister - but looks set to be sacked as chancellor

Rachel Reeves has said she is “backing” Andy Burnham to be prime minister - despite it looking increasingly likely she will be replaced as chancellor.

Asked if she would accept a different role in his cabinet, she said she would not “pre-empt the decisions” the Makerfield MP would make.

The former Greater Manchester mayor, who has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Sir Keir Starmer, is reportedly yet to settle on his choice of chancellor.

Ms Reeves said: “I know that whoever is prime minister and chancellor in the future will inherit a stronger economy than the one I inherited two years ago.”

Meanwhile, Donald Trump made his first comments about PM hopeful Mr Burnham during a meeting with the secretary general of Nato.

After being asked on Wednesday by reporters about his opinion on the new Labour MP for Makerfield, Mr Trump said: “I hear he is extremely liberal, extremely.”

The US president then suggested Mr Burnham “probably won’t open up the North Sea”, adding: “I gave Keir Starmer some pretty good advice, I said open up the North Sea.”