Thomas-Symonds: Burnham phoned to sack me, praised my work
In a Newsnight interview, Nick Thomas-Symonds says Andy Burnham personally phoned to dismiss him, praised his ministerial record, and that he bears no ill will.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Nick Thomas-Symonds has spoken publicly for the first time about being removed from Andy Burnham's cabinet, revealing that the Greater Manchester mayor phoned him personally to deliver the news. In an interview on BBC Two's Newsnight, the former minister for EU relations said the call came on Monday 20 July and that Burnham was "good enough" to contact him directly.
Thomas-Symonds described the conversation as "perfectly reasonable" and said Burnham praised the work he had done in government. "He actually did praise the work that I'd done as a minister, actually," he said. The sacking was framed as part of a wider refresh of the cabinet, with Burnham telling him he wanted change. Thomas-Symonds accepted that decision as the prime minister's prerogative, saying: "It's a matter for the prime minister, who he wants in his government."
Despite the setback, Thomas-Symonds struck a conciliatory tone. He wished Burnham and the new government well, adding that Burnham had "made a very strong start over the summer." He also pushed back on suggestions that the new cabinet contained many familiar faces, including some who had been critical of or resigned under Keir Starmer, saying that was a matter for Burnham to build his team.
The interview also touched on Thomas-Symonds's close relationship with Keir Starmer. He said Starmer was "certainly not a bitter person" after losing the premiership, and that he wanted Labour to win a second term. Thomas-Symonds confirmed he was among the group that went to a pub with Starmer on the night he lost his job, describing it as "a very nice evening" and denying that he got drunk.
Thomas-Symonds said he was now looking forward to serving his constituents from the backbenches and continuing to take an interest in EU relations, the area he had worked on in government.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC Two |
|---|---|
| Andy Burnham phoned Nick Thomas-Symonds on 20 July to inform him of his removal from the cabinet. | |
| During the dismissal call, Burnham praised Thomas-Symonds's work as a minister. | |
| Thomas-Symonds was with Keir Starmer and allies at a pub on the night he lost his job. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The interview is a personal, reflective piece focused on Thomas-Symonds's reaction to being sacked, his account of the phone call, and his loyalty to Keir Starmer. The tone is conversational and probing, with the interviewer pressing for details about the conversation and the pub evening, but Thomas-Symonds remains measured and unresentful.
- “When Andy Burnham himself, and he was good enough to phone me personally, when he phoned me on that Monday, I think it was the 20th of July.”
- “He actually did praise the work that I'd done as a minister, actually.”
- “I know Keir very well. He's certainly not a bitter person.”
Broadcast Timeline
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