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Keir Starmer’s beergate story unravels

Keir Starmer in 2020 (Photo: Getty)

Uh oh, it looks like things are getting uncomfortable for Keir Starmer. This week the Labour leader was hoping to turn the national conversation towards the cost of living crisis and the poor Tory showing in the local elections. Instead the hapless opposition leader has become embroiled in a ‘beergate’ scandal of his own – after the Labour leader was pictured drinking beer at a campaign event in April 2021, when lockdown restrictions were in place.

This week Durham police announced that it was opening an investigation into an alleged lockdown breach at the event – which Starmer has continued to insist was a work event and not a party.

It looks like that story could be beginning to unravel though. Today, the Mail on Sunday has obtained a leaked memo from the campaign event which appears to call some of Starmer’s story into question.

Ever since the beergate allegations re-emerged, Starmer has insisted that Labour activists were merely taking a break from work to eat a delivered curry, even though the photo was taken around 10pm.

Steerpike
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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

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