UK politics: Burnham denies preventing ministers from speaking about plans for closer relationship with EU – as it happened

Andy Burnham has rejected claims that he has stopped ministers speaking out about his plans for a closer relationship with Europe.

As mentioned earlier (see 12.14pm), Burnham wrote to ministers yesterday saying he does not want them to “advocate for specific options or opine on the likely outcome of the process” as he opens a debate on forming a closer relationship with the EU. At GB News, this has been written up under the headline: “Andy Burnham gags Cabinet on rejoin EU plot”.

Asked if he was preventing ministers from speaking out in his pooled interview with broadcasters today, Burnham replied: