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Starmer’s aide resigns amid claims she spread Rayner rumours

Hollie Adams/Getty Images

The Labour soap opera rumbles on. Just as Keir Starmer appeared to be moving past the turmoil of his botched reshuffle with a very public Commons walkabout with Angela Rayner, relations in the party have kicked off once again. Starmer’s parliamentary private secretary Carolyn Harris MP has resigned over allegations that she spread baseless rumours about Angela Rayner’s private life.

One shadow minister told the Times which broke the story that ‘She was briefing salacious rumours about Angela over the weekend and got caught. She’s a total wrecking ball and has done him a lot of harm in PLP [parliamentary party].’ When asked about the allegations she had been spreading rumours about Rayner, Harris immediately blocked the poor Times reporter on WhatsApp. 

Starmer’s office declined to comment other than to release a statement from Harris, the MP for Swansea East and deputy leader of Welsh Labour:

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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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