Andy Burnham picks former Blair minister James Purnell as chief of staff

Decision is one of Makerfield MP’s most significant since his Westminster return as he builds his team for government

Andy Burnham has chosen his Blairite former colleague James Purnell as his chief of staff, the Guardian understands, as he begins to finalise his team for government.

The Makerfield MP has picked his former cabinet colleague to be his right-hand man in Downing Street, in one of the most significant decisions he has made since returning to Westminster.