politics
Andy Burnham Names James Purnell Chief of Staff
The Makerfield MP has chosen his former cabinet colleague to serve as his right-hand man in Downing Street. Purnell has indicated he will accept the role while still negotiating terms.
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Andy Burnham has selected James Purnell as his chief of staff, The Guardian reported. The Makerfield MP made the choice as he begins to assemble his team ahead of an expected move into government. Purnell, a former cabinet colleague, has indicated he will take the position though he is still negotiating terms.
The appointment would mark a return to government for Purnell, who resigned as work and pensions secretary in 2009 in protest against Gordon Brown’s premiership. Purnell later joined the BBC as director of strategy. He became chief executive of Flint Global in 2024.
Burnham and Purnell first met as new MPs from the north-west and shared an office in their early years in parliament. Both later served as culture secretary, and Purnell also held a post at the Department for Work and Pensions. After the 2010 election loss, Purnell declined an offer to serve as chief of staff to Ed Miliband.
Burnham re-entered parliament this week and is expected to become prime minister next month.
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