Greater Manchester Mayor Pulls Out of BBC Radio Phone-in

The mayor of Greater Manchester has withdrawn from his regular weekly appearance on BBC Radio Manchester's Hot Seat phone-in amid reports he is considering a return to Parliament. " The mayor was scheduled to appear on the program but instead focused on matters related to the local election results.

The mayor also pulled out of a speaking engagement the day after the local council elections. He would need to become a member of Parliament before mounting any challenge for a national leadership position.

Two local MPs who had been reported as willing to vacate their seats to allow the mayor a route back to Westminster denied those claims. The MP for Rusholme and the MP for Withington both stated that rumours they were preparing to trigger by-elections were false.

A spokesman for the mayor told the BBC: "As you know, Andy doesn't like to miss the Hot Seat. " The withdrawal comes after last week's local elections produced heavy losses for the governing party. The prime minister has faced calls to resign from dozens of MPs and the departure of four ministers.