Kemi Badenoch demands Andy Burnham 'comes clean' on Manchester City meetings: 'What's being hidden?'

Kemi Badenoch has called for Andy Burnham to "come clean and publish meetings" with Manchester City chiefs. The Prime Minister came under fire last week after saying he would be "really concerned" if the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG), which owns City, were forced to sell the club after being found guilty of breaching the Premier League's financial rules. Downing Street had to issue two clarifications on Mr Burnham's position following backlash from fans. The Conservative Party leader has now weighed in, being asked whether the Prime Minister should come clean and publish all meetings with people at Manchester City while he was mayor. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Mrs Badenoch told GB News: "He should. I'm surprised he hasn't done that already." When asked what specifically, the Conservative Party leader said: "Everything. The Freedom of Information requests should get those things out. Otherwise, what's being hidden? "I think that the comments he made showed that he still thinks he is the mayor of Manchester. He is not acting like the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. "And we need a Prime Minister who can sort out our defence, sort out our economy, sort out welfare, get drilling oil and gas in the North Sea." ### LATEST SPORTS NEWS - Manchester City hero 'hurt' by club's scandal and 'gutted for the fans' - Reform UK demands Andy Burnham publish all details of meetings with Manchester City owners# - Man City chairman met Burnham ally to discuss UAE investment just days before Premier League verdict Mr Burnham has faced pressure from other parties over the City matter, including from the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK. Lee Anderson, chairman of Reform UK, told the People's Channel over the weekend the Prime Minister needs to detail what was said in the meetings with City's owners. He said: "It's important that our Prime Minister is open and transparent. "I'm a huge football fan and facts are facts, Manchester City have cheated their way to success; therefore, Burnham should publish all the details of his meetings with the owners. "Our beautiful game must not be held to ransom by people from the highest bidder." City were found guilty on September 25 by an independent commission over allegations covering the 2009-10 to 2017-18 seasons. It found the club had breached financial rules, including through sponsorship arrangements it described as part of a "disguised funding scheme". The findings said City recorded close to £950million in sponsorship revenue from Abu Dhabi-based companies, while around £830million of the funding had come from ADUG. City confirmed it had lodged an appeal on October 1, writing that its "firm position is that, on multiple grounds, the opinion contains clear material errors of law, principle and fact and is unsafe". The club added it is "innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case". Its appeal will be considered by a separate Appeal Board under Premier League rules. The rules call for a hearing within 12 weeks of an appeal being lodged, but the final timetable and outcome remain uncertain. Any question of punishment is being handled separately. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter