Andy Burnham surprised a newlywed couple with a special message after the bride asked him to avoid No 10 North on their wedding day.
Heron House – home of the prime minister’s new Manchester outpost – also hosts the city’s register office, where the couple was getting married.
In a video message, Sarah Burwin took issue with the heightened security and police presence prompted by the new office.
She asked Mr Burnham: “Please don’t ruin my wedding ... I would really appreciate it if you were not there that day.”
“You’re invited, but maybe without the police escorts,” she added, later joking he could DJ at the after-party.
The prime minister did not attend the event, but did record a surprise video message for the couple.
He said: “Thank you so much for the invite. But sadly, I’m honouring your initial request for me to stay out of the way, as I’m filming this as I’m about to leave No 10 North for the day.
“I couldn’t let the day go by without sending you both a message. I hope you have the best day celebrating, and thank you for being such a good sport about No 10 North suddenly being a big part of your big day. The DJ set will have to wait for another time, but I hope you play some good tunes on my behalf, big Manchester bangers.”
Responding, Ms Burwin said: “Oh my god. What a lad – I love him!”
The newly-created No 10 North was launched shortly after Mr Burnham became prime minister, delivering on a pledge he had made in the months before.
It forms a central part of the former Manchester mayor’s devolution drive, as he aims to “take power out of Westminster and carry it into every postcode”.
It is understood Mr Burnham will work from the location at least once a week when it is fully operational. Several civil servants have already relocated to the office, with new jobs advertised regularly.
The prime minister used the opening of No 10 North to relaunch the National Economic Council – a committee created by then-prime minister Gordon Brown in 2008, of which Mr Burnham was a member as culture (and later health) secretary.
The group will focus on delivering economic growth, the prime minister’s office says, bringing together regional mayors and senior ministers.
