Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, is being accused of breaking Covid rules. It is said that during the winter of 2020, he met with a voice coach named Leonie Mellinger. This information comes from a book written by two journalists from the Sunday Times, Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund. The book, titled “Get In,” suggests that Ms. Mellinger, who is trained in drama, helped Sir Keir improve his speaking style to better respond to Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal.
According to the book, Ms. Mellinger was considered a “key worker” and visited the Labour Party headquarters in December 2020, wearing a face mask, to advise Sir Keir on how to publicly address the Brexit deal. This has led to questions about whether this meeting broke the law, as London and the South East were under strict Covid restrictions at that time.
Richard Holden, a Conservative MP, has written to Sir Keir asking if he believes this was a breach of the law and whether he will appoint an independent investigator to look into these claims. Mr. Holden also questioned whether it would be acceptable for the general public to take acting lessons during the strictest lockdown rules.
In his letter, Mr. Holden criticized Sir Keir for potentially misleading the public and disregarding the law during a time when many people were making significant sacrifices. He urged Sir Keir to answer these questions honestly.
A spokesperson for the Labour Party has stated that all rules were followed at all times. This is not the first time Sir Keir’s actions during the pandemic have been questioned. Previously, he was investigated for attending a Labour Party meeting in Durham in April 2021, but it was found that he did not break any Covid rules.
In other news, the book also mentions that some of Sir Keir’s colleagues have privately expressed concerns about his leadership style, comparing him to an HR manager rather than a leader. However, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has defended Sir Keir, praising his determination to bring about change in the country.
Ms. Mellinger has been asked to comment on these allegations.
