‘Scared’ Burnham to delay approving key gas field until AFTER crunch by-election ‘in gross dereliction of duty’

ANDY Burnham is set to hold off approving drilling of the North Sea’s Jackdaw gas field until after a by-election. The PM has been accused of running scared on the decision as the Green Party named leader Zack Polanski as its candidate in the contest. Andy Burnham has been accused of ‘running scared’ by delaying the Jackdaw gas field decision until after a crunch by-election Credit: LNP The Green Party named leader Zack Polanski as its candidate in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election Credit: PA A senior Tory also said Mr Burnham was putting his party ahead of the national interest in a bid to avoid blazing rows at the Labour conference later this month. Whitehall and industry sources now expect the announcement to come after the October 8 vote in Sir Keir Starmer’s old seat. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! Shadow Energy Secretary Andrew Bowie said: “It is becoming clear that Labour are about to, yet again, delay the decision on Jackdaw — waiting until after the Holborn and St Pancras by-election. “If true, Andy Burnham is guilty of a gross dereliction of duty and is putting the Labour Party’s interest over the national interest. Delaying the gas field decision has been described as a ‘gross dereliction of duty’ Credit: PA The vote was triggered by former PM Keir Starmer’s resignation as an MP Credit: Reuters “There must be no more delay. Get Britain drilling.” In a letter to the PM, Mr Bowie added: “It has been understood for some time that a decision is imminent. “There is no acceptable reason to postpone a decision any further.” There had been reports the decision could come as early as next week. Most read in The Sun The by-election could prove an early test of Mr Burnham’s popularity. Mr Polanski said: “We will be using this election as a platform to make it clear that fossil fuels need to stay where they belong — in the ground.” A Department for Energy Security spokesman said: “The North Sea remains a vital national asset. “Any decision will take into account all relevant evidence received during the consultation process.” Comment now