LONDON, June 15 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday that his decision to ban on social media for children under 16 was about a "statement of values" and not because he was facing a potential leadership challenge.

Starmer is likely to face a challenge to ‌his leadership in the coming months from Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham if his rival wins a seat in parliament at a special election this week.

"This is a statement of our values, who we are as a country, and it is a way of bringing our country together, so for me this is bigger than some of the usual tos and fros of politics - although there is plenty of that," Starmer told a press conference.