Labour Minister Backs Keir Starmer Amid Covid Breach Allegations
Labour Minister defends Keir Starmer against claims of breaching Covid rules during lockdown, emphasizing his work-related activities.
Keir Starmer, Covid, London, UK, Labour Party
London: Recent excerpts from a book about Keir Starmer’s leadership have sparked controversy. The book, serialized by The Sunday Times, mentions a coach, Leonie Mellinger, who was labeled a “key worker.” This was during a meeting at Labour Party headquarters on Christmas Eve 2020.
Mellinger wore a face mask during the meeting, as noted by political journalists Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund. Critics are questioning whether Starmer broke lockdown rules since London was under restrictions at that time.
Jake Berry, a former Tory Party chairman, expressed his frustration on GB News. He argued that designating someone as a key worker can’t be done on a whim. He raised concerns about whether the Prime Minister broke the law, suggesting that if found guilty, he should resign.
Interestingly, Boris Johnson, the only UK Prime Minister found to have broken the law while in office, did not resign. Starmer, however, firmly stated he did not breach any restrictions.
Health Minister Karin Smyth defended Starmer, saying he was preparing for interviews related to the UK’s exit from the EU. She accused the Tories of mudslinging while they were partying during lockdown.
Former Tory minister Richard Holden has written to the Prime Minister, demanding clarity on whether Starmer’s actions violated restrictions. During a press conference in Brussels, Starmer was asked about the allegations and simply replied, “Of course not,” before leaving.
Downing Street has avoided commenting on the claims, focusing instead on government priorities. The Prime Minister’s spokesperson declined to discuss whether Starmer considered the voice coach a key worker.