Reeves backs Burnham to be PM despite reports she may be offered lesser role

Allies of Reeves lobby to keep her as chancellor as ‘stable’ choice while Wes Streeting and Ed Miliband also in picture

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Rachel Reeves has given her support to Andy Burnham to be the next prime minister, despite reports she is likely to be moved out of the role of chancellor if he becomes Labour leader.

The chancellor told the BBC she and Burnham were friends and did not appear to rule out accepting a more junior cabinet position. “I’m supporting Andy to be prime minister,” she said.