Downing Street’s Diwali debacle

Twelve months ago, it was Rishi Sunak who was lighting a candle outside No. 10. So with a new regime installed in office, Mr S wondered how Keir Starmer would go about marking the Hindu festival. Sadly it seems that Starmer’s reverse Midas touch has struck again. For Steerpike hears that last week’s big bash in Downing Street proved something of a disappointment, with attendees complaining of menu choices not quite befitting Diwali’s normal traditions…

Mr S would remind readers that strict observers of Diwali – the Hindu ‘festival of lights’ – do not consume alcohol during the occasion, while the majority of Hindu communities will only eat vegetarian food. Yet, in a rather odd move, it has emerged that No. 10 staff served, er, alcohol and meat at their Diwali shindig. Mr S’s spies have informed Steerpike that attending guests were rather displeased to find that beer, wine and lamb kebabs were all on offer at the event.