Lib Dems demand disclosure of Burnham meetings with Manchester City owners

The Liberal Democrats have called on prime minister Andy Burnham to disclose his meetings with Manchester City’s owners and hospitality received at the Etihad Stadium, the Guardian reported on Friday. The demand follows his comments about the possibility of the Abu Dhabi United Group being required to sell the club after an adverse financial-regulations ruling.

Anna Sabine, the party’s culture, media and sport spokesperson, told the newspaper she intended to write to Downing Street and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority seeking details of those contacts. Her request covers meetings and conversations with City Football Group, Abu Dhabi United Group and United Arab Emirates government representatives, including those during Burnham’s years as Greater Manchester mayor.

Burnham had expressed concern this week about a potential forced sale by City’s owners and praised their investment in Manchester. The Guardian reported that criticism of his remarks prompted Downing Street to clarify his position twice on Thursday. Sabine argued that supporters were entitled to scrutinise his relationship with the owners and to expect football’s rules to be applied equally regardless of wealth or influence.

The newspaper said Burnham maintained close relations with Abu Dhabi United Group during his nine years as mayor, a period that ended when he returned to parliament this summer. Sheikh Mansour bought City through the company in 2008. Burnham, an Everton supporter, has been photographed in hospitality areas at the Etihad, but the extent of the hospitality he received remains unclear.

According to the Guardian, the combined authority’s arrangements allow access to public gift disclosures for current office holders without a freedom of information request. The report said Burnham had not attended a City match since becoming prime minister. He had attended two Everton games at Hill Dickinson Stadium, where he sat in the directors’ box despite holding a season ticket in the South Stand.

The disclosure demand comes as City challenge the independent commission’s decision. The club confirmed on Friday that it had appealed, maintaining that the ruling was unsafe and contained errors of law, principle and fact. The appeal leaves the sporting proceedings ongoing, while Sabine’s planned requests seek a fuller account of Burnham’s contacts with the ownership and any hospitality associated with them.