Good Morning Britain viewers were left infuriated after a guest on the ITV show attempted to defend Sir Keir Starmer amid allegations that he broke coronavirus lockdown rules in December 2020. The controversy surrounds a voice coaching session the Labor leader attended, which critics argue violated the restrictions in place at the time.
Labor peer Baroness Ayesha Hazarika and former Downing Street Director of Communications Guto Harri joined GMB hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls for a heated debate on the topic. The discussion centered on the fact that police have opted not to take any action regarding the claims. Baroness Hazarika attempted to downplay the situation, calling it a “last ditch” effort by the Tories and Reform UK to “rehash” the Covid story. She remarked: “They’re sort of trying to say ‘oh well, he’s the same as Boris Johnson.’”
The Labor peer further reminded the hosts of the fines Downing Street faced during the pandemic, adding, “Let’s not forget that during Covid, Downing Street was the most fined address for Covid offenses.” However, Susanna Reid quickly pointed out the double standard, asking, “But if this had come out now about Boris Johnson, you would jump on it and say here’s another example of how he broke his own rules”, reported by the Express.
Baroness Hazarika was not deterred by the criticism and redirected the conversation to voice training. “We worked with politicians, Ed, who were getting voice training,” she said, attempting to shift the focus. GMB host Ed Balls cut in, responding: “But I wasn’t working in the Covid pandemic so therefore…” The exchange became more heated as Baroness Hazarika continued her argument, claiming that politicians often undergo training and coaching during their careers.
Susanna Reid then intervened, emphasizing that the public’s outrage was not about the coaching session but about the breach of rules. “People didn’t care about the voice coach. They were more outraged about the breaking of rules,” she said.
The tense debate prompted strong reactions from viewers at home, who took to social media to voice their frustration. One user on X/Twitter posted: “@GMB Woman trying her best to say @Keir_Starmer was right to break rules. Getting all het up.” Another added: “Switched the TV on first thing – ED BALLS ON, SWITCHED OFF!” A third remarked: “And she is trying to get us to believe he had a ‘voice coaching session’ on Christmas Eve?? Does she think we were born yesterday??”
Further criticism came from viewers who questioned the legitimacy of the voice coaching session. One user suggested, “Ask Starmer to produce the invoice received for ‘voice coaching’ covering that period plus the expense claim that marries up with it. Ask the voice coach to confirm this was included in her tax return for y/e 2022/2023.”
The heated exchange on Good Morning Britain highlighted the growing frustration over political double standards, as many accused Sir Keir Starmer of receiving preferential treatment in the face of potential rule-breaking during the pandemic.
