Burnham hits back at blast over policing record as M.E.N.hosts hustings

CLASH WITH FELLOW MAYORAL CANDIDATES

- JOSEPH TIMAN

ANDY Burnham hit back at criticism of his record on policing at hustings hosted by the M.E.N.

The Labour mayor who is hoping to be re-elected for a third term next month clashed with other candidates when quizzed about Greater Manchester Police.

Candidates from all five parties in the race to be Greater Manchester's mayor took part in the event at the M.E.N's headquarters.

Mr Burnham, for Labour, was joined by Conservative candidate Laura Evans; the Green Party's Hannah Spencer; Lib Dem Jake Austin and Reform UK's Dan Barker.

They were quizzed by M.E.N. readers, first-time voters and campaigners on transport, housing and health. They were also asked about the Clean Air Zone - the controversial scheme to charge some motorists in a bid to bring down pollution which is still under review.

Mr Burnham told the audience there would be no road charging introduced in Greater Manchester if he returns as mayor. But, unlike some of his opponents, he said he would keep cameras that were installed for the scheme in place to help police solve crime.

It came after the Conservative and Reform UK candidates said that, if elected, they would take the cameras down.

They criticised the amount of money spent on the stalled scheme - but Mr Burnham said it was the government that forced councils to introduce it.

The most heated exchange, however, came after a question about policing. Veronica Strain, an M.E.N. reader who attended the hustings, asked the candidates how they would tackle issues at GMP, in particular, how women are treated.