Quaffing prosecco on the 17.03 train from Euston, Andy Burnham aide writes PM's key speech on the cost of living... using ChatGPT

Detailed summary

While supping the bubbly, he polished Mr Burnham's speech to Welsh Labour members in which the Prime Minister declared: 'Cost of living is the top issue here in Wales, as it is in all parts of the UK.'

Published: 00:05 GMT, 15 November 2026 | Updated: 08:02 GMT, 15 November 2026

Andy Burnham was facing embarrassment last night after a No 10 speechwriter was caught using artificial intelligence to help craft a keynote address.

The Downing Street aide using ChatGPT to make the Prime Minister's words more 'emotive' was also seen quaffing prosecco as he wrote about the cost-of-living crisis en route to a party conference.

The adviser was working on the speech on the 17.03 train from London Euston to Holyhead on Friday, where a fellow passenger spotted him using the AI assistant.

While supping the bubbly, he polished Mr Burnham's speech to Welsh Labour members in Llandudno on Saturday, in which the Prime Minister declared: 'Cost of living is the top issue here in Wales, as it is in all parts of the UK.'

Lee Anderson, chairman of Reform UK, told The Mail on Sunday: 'It must be thirsty work writing speeches for Burnham.

'His bubbly-drinking socialists have no plan to tackle the cost-of-living crisis. AI Andy's man-of-the-people act has been exposed as a sham.

'He's an artificial prime minister who doesn't have the faintest clue what he believes or what he's doing.'

Mr Burnham's speech came as he is battling to face down Labour critics of radical welfare reforms intended to wean young people off benefits and into work.

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