Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer faces accusations of violating COVID-19 lockdown regulations after a voice coach visited Labour headquarters during Tier 4 restrictions. Conservative MP Richard Holden has written to Starmer demanding answers and calling for an independent investigation.
Sir Keir Starmer is facing accusations of violating lockdown regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic after a voice coach visited Labour headquarters in December 2020. The Sunday Times journalists, Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund, revealed in their book, 'Get In,' that actress and voice coach Leonie Mellinger advised Starmer on his speaking style.
Excerpts from the book stated that Mellinger, who qualified for 'key worker' status, visited Labour headquarters on December 24th, 2020, while wearing a face mask. At that time, London and the South East were under Tier 4 restrictions, prohibiting households from mixing and mandating work-from-home unless it was impossible to do so. Conservative former minister Richard Holden wrote to Starmer, inquiring if he believed he had broken the law. A Labour spokesperson refuted the claims, stating that 'the rules were followed at all times.' It is understood that Starmer was working with a small team preparing a response to Boris Johnson's Brexit deal, with a TV camera documenting the sessions. A recommendation on Mellinger's website from Starmer reads: 'Thanks for all your help and support along the way which made all this possible.' Holden urged Prime Minister Johnson to appoint an independent investigator to address the allegations. The Tory MP questioned in his letter, 'Do you think it would be right for other members of the public to get acting lessons during tier 4 restrictions?' Sky News reports that there will be no investigation into Starmer's work status during the period in question. Holden concluded his letter, stating, 'There is a strong public interest into your conduct during the pandemic and it is clear from these revelations that not only have you misled the public but you had a casual disregard for the law at a time when so many people were making such difficult sacrifices all in the service of advancing your own political career. 'You have said 'honesty and decency matters' - I hope you will treat these questions to you with the same standards you asked of others.' This isn't the first time Holden has challenged Starmer's lockdown actions. He previously questioned Starmer's conduct regarding 'Beergate,' where Starmer and deputy leader Angela Rayner were photographed drinking beer and consuming takeout at a Labour Party meeting during a local election campaign in Durham in April 2021. A police investigation concluded they had not breached COVID rules as the event complied with regulations for work gatherings, with a pause for food.
SIR KEIR STARMER LABOUR PARTY LOCKDOWN RULES COVID-19 LEONIE MELLING RICHARD HOLDEN BEERGATE
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