Steerpike Steerpike

Did Starmer breach Covid rules?

Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe For Covid-19 Bereaved Families For Justice/Getty Images

Oh dear. It seems No. 10 aren’t keen to go anywhere near suggestions that Sir Keir Starmer might have broken lockdown rules. Back in December 2020, the Labour leader was receiving voice training lessons from actress Leonie Mellinger, who claimed status as a ‘key worker.’ This included a visit to Labour HQ on Christmas Eve, while London was under tier four restrictions, according to a new book being serialised in the Times by journalists Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund.

The Tories are demanding answers – but Downing Street aren’t willing to give them. At today’s lobby briefing for Westminster journalists, Starmer’s spokesman refused to comment when pressed as to whether the Labour leader had breached legally binding measures. No answers were forthcoming on whether Starmer adhered to lockdown rules at all times, with a spokesperson stating, ‘He wouldn’t get involved in matters relating to his time in opposition.’ That wasn’t the line during last summer’s Lord Alli’s controversy….

Importantly, however, Downing Street did not deny that Starmer would resign if found to have broken lockdown rules – a pledge he made during the ‘beergate’ controversy of May 2022. We’ve all seen this movie before – good luck to Keir in changing the ending…

Steerpike
Written by
Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

Topics in this article

Comments