Keir and Angela’s drinks party

Whitewavemark2

Tbh I would be a little circumspect in crowing too much if I was a Tory supporter.

We have at least 3 more parties to be fined, one in which Johnson acted as barman.

The report by Sue thingy is also yet to be published.

I am in no way crowing Whitewavemark2 I actually feel let down.

I am not a huge fan of Mr.Starmer but I did actually believe he was truthful…

Thank you GG13 - so it was just that she was left off a list? Is there a sub-text here that I am missing? Why would it matter if she was there or not?

Tbh I would be a little circumspect in crowing too much if I was a Tory supporter.

We have at least 3 more parties to be fined, one in which Johnson acted as barman.

The report by Sue thingy is also yet to be published.

daisyAnne you have surpassed yourself in that excellent post?

GrannyGravy13

The one thing I do not understand is why have Mr.Starmer, Ms,Rayner and the Labour Party machine consistently denied that Ms.Rayner was there? I am not referring as to whether or not it was a party or a work meeting, that is a different matter.

Why didn’t they just say release who was there at the beginning?

The electorate are being repeatedly told that the Labour Party stands for truth and clarity this hoo-ha could have been avoided by The Labour Party being ^truthful and clear^

They don’t. It was a press officer who mistakenly said she did not attend.

Simple as, but of course the Tories are desperate to say “look over there not here”

I read that Starmer and Rayner spent time electioneering, but also in making a video for something like international workers or something along those lines. It was a full on working day, with a stop for food etc.

GG13 can you remember exactly who was at every work meeting you attended over the course of a year? I certainly couldn't have done in my job.

Urmstongran

The Telegraph this morning:

“Angela Rayner under pressure over Labour ‘lie’ about attendance at lockdown beer event.
Labour initially denied deputy leader attended Durham gathering but backtracked when presented with evidence, admitting ‘honest mistake’”

Chickens coming home to roost springs to mind. ?

Oh you poor soul. Cling on UG. It may be a pack of Tory lies but it obviously makes you feel better.

Perhaps you could tell me why Angela Rayner canvessing and supporting the candidate is so bad. It didn't break any rules.

Mamie

Can somebody explain where and when the question was asked if Angela Rayner had been canvassing in Durham and where it was denied?
She had every right to be there, of course, and to have something to eat in the office while they were working.
Just wondered why the question was originally asked and by whom?

I believe after the post election canvassing gathering a list of those present was released, Ms.Rayner was not on that list.

I'm afraid most of us will see a good deal of similarity between sitting in a work place having a piece of cake and a glass of wine with workmates and standing in the kitchen with a beer and sandwich with (well not exactly work mates were they?).
Then was the misleading of the press really a "genuine mistake" or a lie? I suppose to the anti Boris, and anti Brexit, brigade it's only Tories who lie, never ever Labour, especially not the forensic Sir Bended knee and Angela crossed legs.

So Ug, why would it had mattered if she was there? It was all perfectly legal at the time. I really don't understand your point?

volver

I didn't even know that anybody has asked about Rayner being there, let alone received an answer about it.

I am a bit aghast that people are trying to equate this episode with Johnson and the crew lying and obfuscating about everything for the last 2 1/2 years, and trying to say they are all as bad as each other.

Politically motivated I guess.

And I'm not even a Labour voter.

I am in no way equating this with Johnson (your words)

I just do not know why Mr. Starmer lied, and I really would like to know what was the reasoning behind it.

You cannot as an opposition leader, who stands for truth and clarity then be excused for lying. I am sorry you cannot understand this.

There is another thread here started by Baggs a few days ago with a link to a video - historian David Starkey on Partygate. In it he explains in great detail what was going on in Downing Street and Whitehall over the days of the 18 and 19 June 2020.

On the 18 June there was a "raucous" party in the office of (the then) Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill. (The then) Head of Propierty and Ethics Helen MacNamara (Sue Gray’s successor in the role) was the person who took in the karaoke machine.

The party went on until three in the morning and involved drunken brawling. Sedwill’s office shares a garden with 10 Downing Street. Starkey suggests that Johnson may have been woken by the noise. Both Sedwill and MacNamara have been fined. Both have now left those posts and gone on to prestigious jobs elsewhere.

Starkey’s stance is to claim that Johnson was not to blame for anything that went on as it was MacNamara’s job as Head of Propierty and Ethics to tell Johnson what he could and could not do. I argue that the Prime Minister’s responsibilities include overseeing the civil service.

Nobody on 18 or 19 June 2020 could have been unaware of what the law was with regard to gatherings. A deliberately arranged karaoke party that goes on until three in the morning and involves drunken brawling is not an office meeting nor is a deliberately arranged birthday party.

DaisyAnne has explained very clearly upthread why Starmer has not broken the law. The Whitehall Downing Street parties clearly did.

Can somebody explain where and when the question was asked if Angela Rayner had been canvassing in Durham and where it was denied?
She had every right to be there, of course, and to have something to eat in the office while they were working.
Just wondered why the question was originally asked and by whom?

Hmm. The question now is what exactly did Labour tell Durham police at the time and has that version of events now changed given that the version of events they are telling the press and the public has changed?

Michael Fabricant, a Conservative MP, said on Friday: "The thing about 'beergate' is, like Watergate, it is not the event that kills you, it's the cover up and the lying."

Labour has acknowledged it previously told journalists that Ms Rayner was not at the event last year, but said it was "a mistake made in good faith".

MaizieD

growstuff

Casdon

You shouldn’t laugh, but it broke here - look at the headline!
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10764839/Keir-Starmer-flouted-Covid-lockdown-guidance-birthday-bash-TWO-cakes.html

I'm a bit confused here. What date are we talking about? Starmer's birthday is on 2 September, when England wasn't in lockdown.

I'm glad I wasn't the only confused person. ?

It's tempting to think the objective might have been confusion.

I didn't even know that anybody has asked about Rayner being there, let alone received an answer about it.

I am a bit aghast that people are trying to equate this episode with Johnson and the crew lying and obfuscating about everything for the last 2 1/2 years, and trying to say they are all as bad as each other.

Politically motivated I guess.

And I'm not even a Labour voter.

volver

^it’s old news.^

Yes. Like the fact Keir had a beer at work a year ago. Doesn't stop the Conservatives having a go when they realise that the hussy with the hair extensions might have been involved.

Deputy leader was at event that didn't break any rules isn't exactly an earth-shattering headline though, is it?

Volver I do not give a flying pink pig whether or not Ms.Rayner was there or not, that is not the issue.

The issue is that the leader of the opposition who has been banging on about truth and clarity since he became leader has knowingly lied.

Doesn’t do much for one’s faith in politics really.

The Telegraph.

OK.

The Telegraph this morning:

“Angela Rayner under pressure over Labour ‘lie’ about attendance at lockdown beer event.
Labour initially denied deputy leader attended Durham gathering but backtracked when presented with evidence, admitting ‘honest mistake’”

Chickens coming home to roost springs to mind. ?

it’s old news.

Yes. Like the fact Keir had a beer at work a year ago. Doesn't stop the Conservatives having a go when they realise that the hussy with the hair extensions might have been involved.

Deputy leader was at event that didn't break any rules isn't exactly an earth-shattering headline though, is it?

volver

Why did Boris lie repeatedly about there being parties in No 10?

Why did Boris lie repeatedly about all the rules being followed?

Why did Johnson lie repeatedly about whether he was there?

Why did Johnson break the rules during lockdown?

One of the mysteries of the ages, I suppose..

We now know that our PM has lied/mislead the electorate volver it’s old news.

Mr,Starmer has repeatedly pointed out the PMs lies and repeatedly stated that he (Mr,Starmer) with his background in law is truthful as is the Labour Party, see the problem?

Why did Boris lie repeatedly about there being parties in No 10?

Why did Boris lie repeatedly about all the rules being followed?

Why did Johnson lie repeatedly about whether he was there?

Why did Johnson break the rules during lockdown?

One of the mysteries of the ages, I suppose..

Strange, that.

The one thing I do not understand is why have Mr.Starmer, Ms,Rayner and the Labour Party machine consistently denied that Ms.Rayner was there? I am not referring as to whether or not it was a party or a work meeting, that is a different matter.

Why didn’t they just say release who was there at the beginning?

The electorate are being repeatedly told that the Labour Party stands for truth and clarity this hoo-ha could have been avoided by The Labour Party being truthful and clear

DaisyAnne, great post again.

I went to look for the DM's take on this but had to wade through reports about the Loch Ness Monster, a model with ginger hair and a rather cute picture of Wilf with his head in a bucket. Is this what passes for journalism in the UK today?