Ruth Langsford branded Sir Keir Starmer a liar during a Loose Women discussion that took place just hours before the Labour vowed to resign if he is fined over the Beergate scandal.
After, during an interview on Good Morning Britain, Starmer told host Susanna Reid that police no longer needed to speak to him over reports and photos of him and other Labour colleagues enjoying beers and a curry during a visit to Durham last year, on Friday, Durham Constabulary confirmed that they were investigating potential breaches of Covid regulations, following the receipt of 'significant new information.'
Starmer has always maintained that no rules were broken, saying on GMB last week that he and Labour colleagues had been working late on the night in question and nearby restaurants were closed so getting a takeaway was the only option. His denials came after he'd condemned Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Government ministers, having seen them be fined for the Downing Street 'Partygate' furore.
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The Beergate scandal was the first topic of discussion on Monday's Loose Women and as the header 'Should Keir Starmer resign?' appeared on screen, host Ruth pulled no punches when it came to delivering her verdict. Speaking directly to panellist Judi Love, she said: "I think for me Judi, it's the lying. I think if you're telling the rest of us what to do in a pandemic to help the greater good and we've all gone 'OK, we'll do our best,' and you're seen to be ignoring it...it's when they lie.
"I'd have more respect if they said 'do you know what? Yes, we were working very late, it was a long day, we did order a takeaway, but we were well socially distanced,' or something. But to say 'no, no...Angela Rayner wasn't there, we didn't have a birthday cake. It's the lies."
Ruth's swipe at the Labour leader came right before reports swirled that Starmer was planning to offer his resignation if he was fined. And, making a statement shortly after 4pm, the leader of the opposition, told journalists that, while he was adamant he didn't break any rules, he would do the 'honourable' thing if fined and step down.
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