Sir Keir Starmer has said he “really hated” being the subject of a criminal investigation into whether he broke coronavirus rules. The Labour leader was investigated by Durham Police after being filmed drinking beer in a colleague’s office in April 2021, when Covid restrictions were in place. He was cleared earlier this month.
Speaking to Sky News, Sir Keir described the probe as a “burden” and said he was “massively pleased” by the police decision. He had previously promised to resign if fined, a step he said he discussed with his wife, Lady Starmer, before making the announcement. “Everything I’ve ever done … I put all of that on the line,” he said.
Sir Keir also addressed criticism that he is boring and not engaging enough with voters. “I don’t think I am boring,” he said, but added that “politics is not a branch of the entertainment business”. He insisted voters are not looking for “more one-liners”.
On train strikes, he defended his refusal to join picket lines, saying Labour must adopt a “mindset of being in government” and resolve issues through negotiation. “You can’t have a cabinet meeting and then go out onto the picket line,” he said, while acknowledging the reasons for industrial action.
