Prime Minister Andy Burnham occupied a seat in the directors' box for Everton's recent 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace, contradicting his prior commitment to stay in the regular stands.
Last month, Burnham, an ardent supporter of the club, had stated his intention to remain in his usual seat to stay connected with ordinary supporters and be "true to his instincts." He believed sitting amongst fans offered valuable insight, referring to it as a "mega focus group."
However, for the opening game of the season, Burnham was seated in the directors' box alongside his wife, daughter, and former Everton midfielder Peter Reid. This decision has drawn comparisons to criticisms faced by Keir Starmer for accepting a privileged seat at Arsenal matches.
Sources suggest that Burnham's move to the directors' box was influenced by the logistical challenges of accommodating his close protection officers in the stands without displacing other fans. The Prime Minister opted for the club's offer of a seat in the more comfortable directors' box, located near the halfway line.
Burnham is expected to continue using either the directors' box or the directors' lounge for the remainder of the season. The value of the directors' box ticket will need to be declared as a donation on the Parliamentary register.
