Greater Manchester mayor Burnham has formally asked for a correction to remarks he made concerning Widdecombe, officials said, as politicians and the public continue to react to a separate dispute over comments by the prime minister.
The prime minister has in recent days faced calls to apologise after making remarks about the alleged murder of a former minister, prompting scrutiny from opposition parties and members of the public. That controversy has fed into wider sensitivities about how senior political figures discuss criminal allegations involving past officeholders.
Burnham’s request for a correction did not, in statements released so far, spell out the precise wording he asked to be amended or the outlet to which the request was conveyed. His intervention comes at a time when political leaders are under pressure to be precise in public statements and to rectify errors quickly when they occur.
Opposition politicians and commentators have continued to press for clarity and, in some cases, an apology from the prime minister over his original remarks. Parties on all sides have stressed the importance of careful language when referring to serious allegations against individuals, particularly those who previously served in government.
The requests for both correction and apology underline the political sensitivity of public discussion about alleged criminal acts by former ministers. Party sources said the matter remained live and that further statements could follow as attention on the issue continued.