Burnham Denies Restricting Ministerial EU Comments Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has denied claims that he is preventing his ministers from speaking about plans for a closer relationship with the European Union. The allegations surfaced after a leaked letter from Burnham to his ministers stated that he did not want them to "advocate for specific options or opine on the likely outcome of the process." However, Burnham has clarified that this was not a directive to remain silent on the issue, but rather a request to avoid taking a stance that could be seen as biased or premature. Burnham's office has maintained that the letter was taken out of context and that the intention was to ensure that ministers remain impartial and focused on the negotiations. The Mayor's office has also stated that ministers are free to express their opinions and engage in discussions about the potential benefits and drawbacks of a closer relationship with the EU. The controversy has sparked debate among local politicians and EU officials, with some calling for greater transparency and others defending Burnham's approach as necessary for effective negotiations.