Carole Malone erupted in an angry rant on Wednesday’s Jeremy Vine show as she slammed the defense of Sir Keir Starmer over allegations he broke lockdown rules in 2020 by meeting with a vocal coach. Malone was visibly furious as she took aim at the Labor leader’s actions, questioning the legitimacy of his need to meet in person with the coach during the strict lockdown period.
“The law was really clear, it said, ‘Everyone must work from home unless they aren’t able to do so.’ Now, don’t tell me that this woman, Leonie Mellinger, could not have done this chat on Zoom. Of course, she could,” Malone raged, demanding accountability for the apparent breach of the regulations, reported by the Express.
Her comments came after a caller questioned the priority given to Starmer’s vocal coaching session when compared to the struggles ordinary people faced during the lockdown. “Did you just hear what (the caller) said? She said, ‘Is it more important Keir Starmer had a voice coach when I couldn’t be with my dad when he passed?’” Malone continued, her voice rising in anger. “The answer is no!”
The issue of Starmer’s meeting with his vocal coach has stirred controversy after it was revealed that the session took place in April 2020, at the height of the UK’s lockdown measures. Critics have argued that Starmer’s decision to meet with the coach in person was a violation of the rules, especially considering the severe restrictions placed on families and individuals during the same period.
Starmer has since defended his actions, claiming that the meeting was necessary for his role as Leader of the Opposition. However, his explanation has failed to quell public outrage, particularly among those who were unable to see loved ones during the lockdown for reasons such as illness and bereavement.
Malone’s outburst was met with mixed reactions from viewers. Some supported her stance, agreeing that Starmer’s actions were irresponsible given the circumstances, while others felt that the criticism was disproportionate, given the nature of the meeting.
The backlash against Starmer has raised questions about the consistency of political leaders’ adherence to lockdown rules and whether their actions have undermined public trust in the government’s guidelines during the pandemic. The controversy is likely to continue to spark debate as more details about the meeting are revealed.
