Keir Starmer: Police investigate Labor leader over 'Beergate'

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Opposition leader Keir Starmer

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SCOTT HEPPELL / REUTERS

Police are investigating Labor leader Keir Starmer.

It's about the so-called Beergate:

In April last year, the British opposition leader took part in an election campaign trip to Durham in northern England - during which Starmer was also seen with a beer in his hand in a social gathering during the Corona lockdown.

County Durham Police said on Friday they had received "significant new information" and are now investigating whether lockdown rules were broken at the time.

Previously, the authority had not considered investigations necessary.

Footage of the social gathering at a Labor office in Durham appeared in various media outlets, notably the Conservative Daily Mail running extensive pieces for days on the so-titled 'Beergate' incident.

One said food had been ordered for 30 people.

At that time, restaurants were still largely closed due to the pandemic, and there were strict contact restrictions – with exceptions for work meetings.

Starmer denies allegations of breaking lockdown rules.

His explanation is that he and his campaign team ordered curry from the office, ate at work and drank a beer.

The Labor leader accused the Tory party of a "mud fight" to distract from the "party gate" of his own Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

He has already had to pay a fine for an illegal celebration, and further investigations are still underway.

The House of Commons recently voted to summon Johnson to a committee of inquiry.

The panel is to clarify the question of whether the prime minister lied in parliament about illegal celebrations during the lockdown.

The police about-face comes the day after regional elections in which Labor won some key counties and cities from the Tory party.

Starmer was still in a celebratory mood that morning and described the results as a "turning point" for his party.

as/dpa