British opposition leader Keir Starmer is accused of breaking anti-Covid rules during a campaign trip a year ago. On Monday, he pledged to step down as Labor Party leader if he were fined like Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
“I am absolutely clear on the fact that no law has been violated,” hammered the Labor leader before the press, before adding “but if the police decide to impose a fine on me, of course, I I will do what needs to be done and I will resign.” The opposition leader has repeatedly called on Boris Johnson to resign in recent weeks and now finds himself under investigation by the police.
The contentious grouping behind the “beergate” dates back to April 2021 and took place in Durham, in the north-east of England, when the leader of Labor was campaigning for a partial legislative vote.
Labor in turn in turmoil
Indoor gatherings were prohibited, but Keir Starmer explained that he had ordered curry and beers for the team that met that evening in party premises, the only alternative according to him to closed restaurants.
The opening of an investigation into this gathering puts the leader of Labor in a delicate position, he who has repeatedly called on the Prime Minister to resign in the “partygate”.
Boris Johnson was fined for a brief appearance at a surprise birthday party for his 56th birthday on June 19, 2020. According to British press reports, the Prime Minister attended at least five of the dozen other rallies on which police in London is still investigating.