Andy Burnham has criticised the “double standards” of Nicola Sturgeon’s decision to impose a travel ban between Scotland and Manchester – calling the move “hypocritical”.
The First Minister of Scotland announced that all non-essential travel to Manchester and Salford would be prohibited from Monday (June 21).
Sturgeon said the ban was necessary due to the regions suffering from high numbers of coronavirus cases.
She stated: “I realise that for those with family or friends in Manchester or Salford, or anyone who was simply planning a visit, this is disappointing but rates of COVID are particularly high in these cities at the moment.”
But the Mayor of Greater Manchester has expressed his frustration over the decision, confirming he’d written to Sturgeon to seek “compensation for the individuals who might lose holidays and the businesses who might lose bookings.”
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Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham says the SNP's ban on travel from Scotland to Manchester is an example of "double standards and hypocrisy"
Speaking on Sunday (June 20), Burnham stated: “It’s hypocrisy – they’ve done to us exactly what they always complain that the UK government does to Scotland.
“Why should a couple from Salford who are double-jabbed who are about to go on a walking holiday in Scotland not be able to go? It’s completely disproportionate in my view.
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“We could have come up with a different arrangement if the First Minister had been in touch with us.”
The Mayor added: “The Scottish government can’t just impose things on parts of the north of England with no discussion with us – that is simply wrong.
“They need to live by the same standards they’ve always called for from others.”
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This seems unnecessary to me …
… and it would have been nice if @NicolaSturgeon had contacted us beforehand to discuss it.
Maybe the Scottish Government should try living by the same standards it frequently accuses the UK Government of lacking?#DoubleStandardshttps://t.co/b1SrZWopzx
Greater Manchester is currently receiving extra support from the UK government in a bid to tackle rising infection levels – including rapid response teams, military assistance and supervised in-school testing.
But Burnham said restrictions on movement between the region and Scotland were “unnecessary”.
He later tweeted: “When the UK Government have made changes affecting Greater Manchester, they called us in advance to discuss.
“The Scottish Government gave us no such courtesy.
“Sorry but it’s straightforward arrogance to say Scottish Ministers shouldn’t deign to speak to English Mayors.”
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Scottish government trade minister Ivan McKee told the BBC that Scotland had been forced to make a quick decision.
“The virus, as we know, moves very fast, decisions are made very fast and those decisions are communicated at a four-nations level,” he said.
“Andy Burnham… is going to write to the first minister about it, that’s absolutely fine and I’m sure there will be a conversation about how we can keep him better informed in future.”
Under Scottish government guidelines, non-essential travel between Scotland and Manchester/Salford is prohibited from today (June 21).
Featured image: BBC
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Police appeal after serious crash between car and taxi in Bolton leaves four dead and five others injured
Emily Sergeant
Police are appealing to the public after a fatal crash in Bolton yesterday.
At around 12:45am yesterday morning (Sunday 11 January), Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called out to reports of a collision on Wigan Road in Bolton, where a Seat Leon was travelling down the road and collided with a Citroen C4 Picasso – which was a taxi.
The driver of the Seat, and two passengers – who were all aged between 18 and 19 – have tragically died following the collision.
The driver of the Citroen was also sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
According to local funeral notices, as reported on by BBC News, the three teenagers have been named as Muhammad Danyaal Asghar Ali, Farhan Patel, and Mohammed Jibrael Mukhtar, all from Bolton, while the taxi driver was named as Masrob Ali from Blackburn.
#APPEAL | Our Serious Collision Investigation Unit are appealing for information after a fatal collision between a Seat and Citroen on Wigan Road, #Bolton on 11/01/26
On top of these tragic deaths, police have also confirmed that five other passengers were involved and injured during the incident, and were rushed to hospital where they are currently being treated.
At this time, a scene remains in place as officers continue their investigation, but GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) are now appealing for information and witnesses, and are urging anyone that may be able to help to come forward.
This includes anyone who saw the vehicle driving before the collision, witnessed the incident itself, or has dashcam / CCTV footage.
Can you help? Anyone with any information is urged to contact the SCIU directly on 0161 856 4741, quoting log 111 of 11/01/2025.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Google Maps
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Manchester United fans planning another major protest amid more upheaval around the club
Danny Jones
Manchester United supporters look set to stage another high-profile demonstration in protest against the INEOS Sports ownership group.
This is the latest response to the club’s continuing struggles, and not just the first proper organised mobilisation of the year, but the first since the most recent major march last spring.
Following the sacking of ‘manager’ Ruben Amorim, despite co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and his board of executives insisting that the Portuguese head coach (that distinction proving to be a crucial detail), the local sporting giants are once again starting from scratch and looking for another replacement boss.
With that in mind, militant fan group The 1958 announced their most recent protest ahead of a home fixture next month in a rather bold fashion…
As announced we protest against this dysfunctional co-ownership before Fulham.
Yep, neither Amorim, Erik ten Hag, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, nor any face even remotely associated with Old Trafford/Carrington is safe from an AI parody.
As for The 1958 group’s actual protest plans, speaking via the BBC this week, the supporters’ trust has confirmed that they will be making a vocal statement outside the stadium on Sunday, 1 February.
Travelling Reds already made their thoughts known with a very blunt, provocative and somewhat controversial banner in the away end at Turf Moor for the 2-2 draw against Burnley.
With Man United approaching a third-round FA Cup tie against Brighton and two big games in the form of a Manchester Derby at home and a trip to Arsenal, they have decided to choose the Fulham game at Old Trafford to stage the march.
Despite admitting that the results under Amorim were no way near good enough, they insist that the – most notably the overarching and Glazer family shadow ever looming over the organisation.
Further details around the actual timings and locations are still yet to be shared by the organisers, but you can expect this to be a well-attended, large-scale event.
Often convening at The Tollgate pub near regular matchday tram stop, Trafford Bar, before walking down Talbot Road towards the ground itself, we imagine Reds will then descend upon the Theatre of Dreams in their thousands.
In case you didn’t already surmise from the video itself, Ratcliffe and co. will be no doubt the subject of the usual chants, as well as more banners and flags.
What do you make of the latest plans, Man United fans?
Nothing will ever be quite as bold as the infamous Old Trafford break-in from 2022 (Credit: The Manc)
The Manc -
21st June 2021 
