Labour’s national executive committee has blocked Andy Burnham’s request to seek selection for the Gorton and Denton byelection, according to Labour sources.

The decision is likely to set off a ferocious row with allies of the Greater Manchester mayor.

Of the 10-strong “officers’ group” of the NEC, the vote went eight to one against Burnham, a Labour source said. The chair, the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, abstained.

Under Labour rules, metro mayors and police and crime commissioners must seek the NEC’s permission to stand for parliament.

Burnham said on Saturday afternoon he wanted to contest the seat after the sitting MP, Andrew Gwynne, said he intended to stand down.

While he had won support for the bid from a series of cabinet ministers, allies of Keir Starmer warned against the disruption that could follow if Burnham, widely viewed as seeking to challenge the prime minister, re-entered parliament.

However, the decision to block him is likely to spark a huge backlash, with senior Labour figures including Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, and Lucy Powell, the party’s deputy leader, saying it would be wrong to block him.

More details soon …