SNP’s Ian Blackford refuses to call for Starmer’s resignation
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford has refused to say if Sir Keir Starmer should resign as Labour leader if he is found to have broken lockdown rules.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Mr Blackford said it was too early to say what should happen to the Labour leader.
But he added there should be “sanctions” for anyone who breaks the law.
“There has to be sanctions for people who break the law, but we’re not talking about that yet – let’s wait and see what happens with that investigation,” he said.
“If there are issues for Keir Starmer to answer, then he should do so.”
Mr Blackford was among those at Westminster calling for Prime Minister Boris Johnson to quit over partygate and stressed that so far, the Prime Minister “is the only man” that has been found guilty.
He went on to say the Labour leader will have to “take his own actions, take his own consequences”, if found to have broken the law.
But he added: “The only man that’s been found guilty, as we sit here today – that is Boris Johnson.”
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer’s gathering in Durham is “a million miles away” from Boris Johnson’s lockdown rulebreaking, the mayor of London has said.
Sadiq Khan was at the Eid in the Square celebrations at Trafalgar Square yesterday when he made the remarks, saying Downing Street had a “culture” of parties.
He said: “Keir is quite clear. No rules were broken.
“He was working incredibly hard all day, had supper in the evening. A million miles away from what Boris Johnson was found to have done.”
He added: “The Prime Minister, who makes the rules, breaking the rules.
“But also a culture in Downing Street where it’s bring your own bottles, it’s karaoke machines, it’s garden parties.
“Very, very different to what Keir is alleged to have done.”
Sir Keir’s leadership has, in fact, made Labour “credible again”, Mr Khan said, following the local council election results.
Mr Khan was asked if it was a problem that Labour had made significant gains in London but not in the so-called “red wall” seats.
He said: “I’m the mayor of London, not the mayor of red-wall seats.
“I’m really pleased and proud that here in London we have had historic results in seats in central London, in inner London and in outer London.
“Some for the first time ever like Barnet, Westminster the first time since 1964, Wandsworth the first time in 44 years.”