Starmer refuses to back deputy’s call for Matt Hancock to resign
LABOUR LEADER Sir Keir Starmer has refused to back his deputy’s call for Matt Hancock to “consider his position”, instead telling the Health Secretary to “get on with the job”.
Sir Keir said deputy party leader Angela Rayner had been expressing national “frustration” when she called for the Health Secretary to quit.
Asked twice if he backed Ms Rayner’s stance, Sir Keir told reporters: “I think Angela was probably expressing a frustration that is deeply felt across the country.
“What I want is for the Government to concentrate on the job in hand and for Matt Hancock and others to get on and deliver what they are promising.
“Because what we get from this Government is very good promises, but not real delivery. I think it is time for Matt Hancock to get on with the job of delivering on the Government’s promises.”
The comments came after Ms Rayner accused Mr Hancock of a “multiple of failures”.
She told Sky News: “He should be considering his position. He’s had a multiple of failures ever since he took on the role.
“But it is not just a failure of the Health Secretary. It has been a failure of the Chancellor in terms of the support that he has given to businesses. He is winding up the furlough scheme this month. The Prime Minister couldn’t even tell us what his own communications and his own restrictions were that he put in place.
“So it’s not one failure by one Minister, it’s a constant failure by the front bench of this Government. They are a complete shambles and incompetent.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer will speak to residents from Margaret Ferrier’s constituency, following outrage over the MP’s breaches of coronavirus rules.
He will host a “Call Keir” virtual meeting with constituents in Rutherglen and Hamilton West today.
Voters will be invited to discuss the issue with Sir Keir, as well as the UK and Scottish governments’ handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Ms Ferrier has had the SNP whip withdrawn following revelations about her behaviour after she developed Covid- 19 symptoms.