Keir Starmer accuses Conservatives of ‘exaggerating’ before election over lockdown footage | UK News

Sir Keir Starmer has accused Conservative MPs of “guilty” over footage of him drinking beer with colleagues at the time the COVID regulations were in place.

The Labor leader told broadcasters that the pictures in the photo were working and pausing to eat some food and that “no rules have been broken”.

At that time, people in England It is forbidden to enter the house outside of work.

He added that there was a stark contrast between the incident and the behavior in Downing Street, which is “the most penalized workplace in the whole of the UK”.

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In recent days, Sir Keir has come under increasing pressure over the event – where he was caught on camera drinking beer with activists in the Durham election office of local MP Mary Foy in the race to the Hartlepool by-election

Last week, the Labor Party confirmed their deputy leader Angela Rayner also attended, having previously told journalists she was not present at the meeting last April when the coronavirus restrictions went into effect.

But a party source said it was a “mistake made in good faith” and Mr. Keir asserted it “makes no difference at all” as there are no rules to be broken.

Start-up under pressure beer Durham

When confronted about the issue on Monday, he told reporters: “We’re working. It’s the days before the election. We pause to eat something.

“There’s no party, no rules to be broken. I can’t add anything to it.”

Asked if he wanted to ask more questions to explain, the Labor leader continued: “There is no party, no violation of the rules.

“With a few days until the election, I know what’s going on here – the Tories are trying to talk about anything other than the cost of living, as hard as they can.

“If they put the most energy and focus the most on people’s bills and the taxes they’re putting on people, millions of people would be grateful for that.

“So I think this is classic two or three days before the election from the Tories.

“But I have nothing to add.”

‘No party, no rules broken’

Speaking on Sky News’ Ridge on Sunday, the Labor leader said his party had made a “real mistake” by saying Ms Rayner was not present at a campaigning event in Durham without He was photographed drinking beer.

Asked if the deputy leader was in the office, Sir Keir said: “Yes. We are in the office, we are working, we stop for something to eat, no partying, there are no rules to be broken and that’s the long and short of it.

“I know what’s going on here, we had an election on Thursday and it’s just Tory MPs trying to throw mud around because they have nothing to say on the central issue of spending. cost of living.”

He later said Labor had not realized it had made a mistake in saying Ms Rayner was not present at last year’s Durham event.

Mr. Keir said: “We were asked twice and I didn’t even realize I had made a mistake until it was published this week. We are a busy office, we have made mistakes. mistake, it was a real mistake and I take responsibility for it”. “

Tory MP urges police to investigate the incident

Richard Holden, the Conservative MP for North West Durham, has pressed the police to reconsider their decision not to investigate the following incident. fines are issued arrive Boris Johnson for attending a birthday gathering at Number 10.

But Labor has denied that there is any equivalent to Downing Street partying scandalThis has shaken the government.

Durham Police confirmed they have received “several other communications” to which they will respond, but said they are not currently investigating the matter.

Meanwhile, Mr Holden said he accepted an apology from Ms Foy after she “drunkly” abused him on the Commons terrace on Tuesday night by asking police to look into allegations Sir Keir broke Break the door lock rule.

The incident, witnessed by several people, happened as MPs waited to vote late at night.

In a statement posted on Twitter, Mr Holden said: “Mary Kelly Foy wholeheartedly issued an unprovoked apology after she approached, berated and grabbed me on the roof of parliament last Tuesday night. witnessed by other MPs and members of staff. .

“I accepted her apology and considered the matter closed.”

A party source confirmed Ms. Foy had issued a personal apology.

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Met Police partygate continues to investigate

The Metropolitan Police’s investigation into Lockdown parties are held on Downing Street and Whitehall is still going on.

Last month, the Prime Minister, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Mr Johnson’s wife Carrie Johnson were all notified of flat fines for attending an event to mark the prime minister’s 56th birthday.

Prime Minister, who has faced persistent calls to step down for running the party and apologized to MPs in a high show of excitement, is believed to have been present at more than 12 events being investigated by Scotland Yard.

Met Police said it will not release any more partygate updates ahead of local elections in May.

Read more:
All you need to know about the partygate investigation