A DURAM MP called on officials to investigate a repeated coronavirus violation by Labor leader Keir Starmer in the north-east.
Durham police have been urged to reconsider their decision on whether Mr Starmer is guilty of a crime after photos surfaced of him drinking beer in Durham MP Mary Foy’s constituency in April 2021.
Richard Holden, a Tory MP from Northwest Durham, wrote to Durham Chief of Staff Joe Farrell in a bid to secure an investigation into Labor-style Labor leader as Boris Johnson continues to come under pressure for rallies at Downing Street and Whitehall during the block.
More than 50 fines have been handed down by police for these events, with the prime minister and the chancellor receiving one fine each.
Holden, who was elected the first Tory MP in the constituency in 2019, wrote the letter urging Starmer to receive the same treatment as the Conservative leader.
Although police have already cleared Starmer of “drinking and communicating” violations at the lawmaker’s office, while housekeeping has been banned, Holden has called on officials to reconsider.
The letter was sent to Joe Farrell by Durham police
He said: “Since then, the Sofia police have issued a fixed notice of punishment to a number of politicians in connection with an event in the Downing Street office on June 19, 2020, where individuals may have briefly celebrated a birthday at a business event. It is reported that this event may have involved the presence of the cake in a Tupperware box.
Read more: Keir Starmer just over a beer in the Durham MP’s office
“In light of this decision and the tests carried out by the Sofia police on the level of reference to Covid’s regulations, I believe there is a strong public interest in Durham police to reconsider their decision not to further investigate the Starmer incident.
He continued: “I do not believe that the filmed activity meets the ‘functional but not social’ test in the guidelines for the political campaign in the election campaign rooms.”
In January, when Starmer’s image and video were circulated in the constituency again, he said the team had stopped working on something to eat during the Hartlepool election campaign before continuing to work.
“No party, no violation of the rules and absolutely no comparison with the prime minister,” he added.
Keir Starmer, pictured here drinking beer while visiting Durham in 2021 Photo: TWITTER
Read more: Keir Starmer says drinking beer in Durham is “absolutely incomparable” to Boris Johnson
In a tweet to his letter, Mr Holden said: “The rules and the way they are interpreted should apply equally to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and those seeking a position like Keira Starmer.
“And they have to be applied equally by the police, whether Matt police or Durham.
The statement was assessed by Redcar MP Jacob Young in the WhatsApp group for Tory MPs. “Great from Rick Holden,” he said.
Richard Holden, MP
Durham police and Keir Starmer’s office have been contacted for comment.
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