Burnham failed to deal with neglect and poor care standards when he was health secretary

Burnham failed to deal with neglect and poor care standards when he was health secretary

ANDY BURNHAM was facing the sack from Labour's front bench yesterday evening after Ed Miliband pointedly failed to back him to continue as shadow health secretary.

After a question-and-answer session in front of thousands of party activists, the Labour leader declined a party's invitation to ensure that Mr Burnham will not be moved within a forthcoming reshuffle.

Top bencher was the target of fire a few months ago for failing to handle neglect and poor standards of care when he was health secretary.

Tensions have simmered since two clashed as rivals in the 2010 leadership contest.

In the Labour conference working in brighton, Mr Miliband was asked to keep Mr Burnham in his job by delegate Margaret Barr, from Eastbourne.

She called for a "Burnham plan" for medical care, adding: "Lots folks need to keep Andy because post, thanks."

Nevertheless the Labour leader dodged the question about Mr Burnham's future, saying only he was "four-square behind Andy's idea, which he brought up in the speech"

Shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg and shadow work and pensions secretary Liam Byrne are also likely to be dumped after widespread criticism of the shadow cabinet's lacklustre performance.