Andy Burnham chooses Labour Friends of Israel ex-chair as chief of staff, report says

Andy Burnham chooses Labour Friends of Israel ex-chair as chief of staff, report says Submitted by Imran Mulla on Wed, 06/24/2026 - 12:49 James Purnell was a cabinet minister under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown Britain's then Secretary of State for Work and Pensions James Purnell makes a statement to the press in central London, on 24 January 2008 (Shaun Curry/AFP) Off Andy Burnham has reportedly asked former minister James Purnell, who was once chair of the Labour Friends of Israel group and has been the chief execu