Video: Keir Starmer had his own drinks gathering during lockdown

Tory PM Boris Johnson not the only one snapped having drinks at close quarters when gatherings were banned

The Tories have rightly been criticised for their repeated parties and supposed ‘work’ meetings during lockdown, featuring booze and closely gathered people while the rest of the country was staying apart – and many even died without their loved ones close as a result of rules designed to inhibit the spread of the Covid virus.

But it should not be forgotten that Labour leader Keir Starmer was also filmed having a drinks gathering in a confined space with others. At the end of April this year, he was spotted having beers and food at a location in Durham:

Lockdown rules at the time forbade indoor gatherings, indeed even outdoor gatherings had only become lawful a couple of weeks earlier and even those were still subject to the ‘rule of six’, as the government’s website documenting historical lockdown measures confirms:

On 8 March 2021, England began a phased exit out of lockdown. This consists of a four-step plan, forming part of the Government’s broader roadmap intended to “cautiously but irreversibly” ease lockdown restrictions. Instead of a return to the tier system, the Government confirmed that it planned to lift restrictions in all areas at the same time
as the level of infection was “broadly similar” across England

England moved to step two restrictions on the 12 April, which has seen the reopening of outdoor attractions and settings. Prior to this, as part of step one, children returned to schools and restrictions on gatherings were relaxed, with the rule of six reinstated (in outdoor settings only). Step three will be reached “no earlier than 17 May

In a foreshadowing of Tory tactics now, Starmer’s office at the time claimed that the event was a work gathering:

Keir was in the workplace, meeting a local MP in her constituency office and participating in an online Labour Party event.  They paused for dinner as the meeting was during the evening.

Watch and decide for yourself.

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