The Conservatives have demanded to know what Keir Starmer is “hiding” after the Prime Minister’s spokesman refused to answer simple questions about a potential Covid lockdown breach.
The row was sparked yesterday after a new book about Sir Keir’s time as leader of the opposition revealed he had a voice coach come into Labour HQ to help his speeches while London was under a Tier 4 lockdown.
The rules at the time mandated that non-essential workers should stay at home, however the book claimed that Sir Keir considered his acting coach so important that he designated her an essential worker.
The list of essential workers, however, was prescribed by the government and did not include acting coaches.
Yesterday a senior Tory wrote to the Prime Minister listing six crucial questions he needs to answer, and demanding an independent inquiry into whether he broke lockdown rules.
At today’s morning briefing of political journalists, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman stonewalled all questions about the row on the grounds it happened before Labour won the election.
Asked whether the Prime Minister considered his voice coach to be a key worker, the spokesman replied: “I’m not going to get into any matter to do with the opposition, the Prime Minister is focussed on delivering the government’s priorities and the people’s priorities”.
Asked whether the Prime Minister kept to lockdown rules at all times, the spokesman declined to commit to this, repeating: “As I say I’m not going to get into matters to do with matters from opposition”.
The spokesman did confirm that Sir Keir is no longer utilising the services of former actress Leonie Mellinger or any other voice coach.
In response the Conservatives have now blasted: “WHAT is he hiding?”
A social media post from the party read: “Keir Starmer wrote to civil servants in July saying his government would be one “of openness, of collaboration and transparency in everything we do”.
“Yet today it seems he has ordered his civil service spokesperson to keep quiet.”
In response to previous allegations he broke lockdown rules when enjoying a beer and curry with Labour Party staff during the pandemic, Sir Keir insisted: “People were entitled to expect that politicians would follow the same rules as everyone else.”
“The idea I would casually break those rules is wrong, and frankly I don’t believe those accusing me believe it themselves. They are just trying to feed cynicism to make the public believe all politicians are the same.”
“I believe in honour, integrity and the principle that those who make the laws must follow them. And I believe politicians who undermine that principle undermine trust in politics, undermine our democracy and undermine Britain.”
In his letter to the Prime Minister yesterday, shadow Paymaster General Richard Holden set out six questions the PM must answer to shut down the row:
- Does the Prime Minister think that this is a breach of the law?
- To clear up any date will you appoint an independent investigator?
- Did the Labour Party receive legal advice about how to get around Covid restrictions?
- In this period did Ms Mellinger contract COVID-19?
- Do you think it would be right for other members of the public to get acting lessons during tier 4 restrictions?
- Did you receive legal advice about making Ms Mellinger a key worker?
A Labour Party spokesperson told the Express yesterday: “The rules were followed”.
