Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has faced political backlash after stating that transgender women should be allowed to use female toilets and characterizing opposition to this position as a minority view.

Burnham argued that protecting single-sex spaces like toilets exclusively for biological women represents a minority perspective. The mayor suggested that only a small portion of the public objects to transgender women accessing female facilities.

The comments prompted immediate political consequences for Burnham, who has been positioning himself for higher office and is sometimes referred to as the 'King of the North' due to his prominence in northern England politics.

Former Dragons' Den star Duncan Bannatyne announced he was withdrawing his support for Burnham's political ambitions following the mayor's statements. Bannatyne said he could no longer back Burnham's bid for power after learning of his position on transgender bathroom access.

The controversy highlights the ongoing debate over transgender rights and access to sex-segregated spaces, which has become a divisive issue in British politics. The matter involves balancing transgender inclusion with concerns about women's safety and privacy in facilities like toilets and changing rooms.

Burnham's comments and the subsequent reaction underscore how positions on transgender issues can have significant political ramifications for public figures seeking broader support.