Nandy says Labour leader ‘Mr Rules’ is not a law breaker

Labour’s Lisa Nandy has defended party leader Sir Keir Starmer over claims he broke lockdown rules, saying: “I’m absolutely confident that he hasn’t broken the law.”

The shadow secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities said her boss “is ‘Mr Rules’, he does not break the rules” as she accused the Conservatives of an “absolutely desperate attempt to sling mud”.

Her comments came as Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab accused Sir Keir of “complete hypocrisy” over the Durham beer-and-curry event being investigated by police for a possible breach of coronavirus laws.

Asked if Sir Keir should quit, Mr Raab told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday: “It’s the rank double standards that drive people crazy.

“He needs to fess up and answer all of the holes in

the account that he gave for that beer-and-curry event in Durham.”

He added: “Keir Starmer looks like, I’m afraid, someone who is engaged in complete hypocrisy.”

Ms Nandy told Sky News: “He went on a work visit, he stopped to eat at various times during the day as was factored into the work visit and then he finished the work visit and he went back to his hotel.

“It is frankly absurd of the Tories to claim that this

in any way equates to a prime minister who was under investigation by the police for 12 separate gatherings which included karaoke parties, bring your own bottle parties, pub quizzes, suitcases full of wine being smuggled through the back door.

“The prime minister lied about that, he denied that he was there.”

Asked if it was found Sir Keir broke the law, should he resign, she told Sky News: “Look, I’m not going to get into that, because I’m absolutely confident that he hasn’t broken the law.

“This is a guy who’s selfisolated six times during the pandemic.

“He is ‘Mr Rules’, he does not break the rules. He was the director of public prosecutions, not somebody who goes around tearing up rules when it suits him, in stark contrast to the prime minister.

“I think this desperate attempt to sling mud will fall flat, but I think we’ll see more of this as we get closer to a general election.”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said it will be difficult for Sir Keir to continue as leader if he is fined, telling BBC One’s Sunday Morning “no politician is above the law”.

He added: “So if any politician, be it Keir Starmer, Boris Johnson, if they get a fixed-penalty notice after a police

investigation, it’s extremely difficult for them to

continue.”

PROBE: Sir Keir Starmer faces a police investigation into claims he broke Covid lockdown rules on a visit to Durham.

Lisa Nandy defends her party leader in a TV interview.