How much trouble is Keir Starmer in?

Ahead of Thursday’s local elections, there had been talk among MPs that it could serve as a referendum on partygate and lead to questions about Boris Johnson’s future as leader. Instead, it’s Keir Starmer who is facing questions about Covid breaches and how long he will stay in post. After Durham Police announced on Friday that they would investigate the so-called Beergate event – when he was pictured drinking a beer indoors in Durham with Labour staff last April while the rest of England was under stage 2 Covid rules – new details have come to light.

Over the weekend, the Mail on Sunday published a memo suggesting the takeaway was pre-planned and Starmer did not return to work afterwards. Further accounts have emerged of the evening alleging junior staffers were drunk at the so-called work event. In a sign that this is at the very least derailing Starmer’s agenda – and any efforts to capitalise on the gains his party made on Thursday – the Labour leader has pulled out of a public speaking engagement today.