Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner have been handed police questionnaires over an alleged breach of lockdown rules.
In the latest of what has been dubbed the ‘beergate’ scandal, it has now been confirmed that the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party have been given questionnaires by Durham Constabulary over an event held in Durham in April 2021.
The event – which both Starmer and Rayner were present at – took place after day of campaigning for the local elections with party colleagues, and leaked footage shows them having drinks and a takeaway curry was ordered.
It was confirmed by a Labour Party spokesperson, who simply said: “Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner have received questionnaires from Durham Constabulary.”
In response to and in the wake of the ongoing Number 10 ‘partygate’ scandal, both Starmer and Rayner have previously said that they will stand down from their roles if they are fined by police over the investigation, but have insisted they are “confident” that no rules were broken.
Starmer said he “put everything on the line”, and insisted that resigning from his role would be “the right thing to do”.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner have been handed police questionnaires over an alleged breach of lockdown rules / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“I’m absolutely clear that no laws were broken, they were followed at all times,” he has said.
Angela Rayner, MP for Ashton-under-Lyne, said resigning would be “the decent thing”, adding: “No rules were broken. Eating during a long day’s work was not against the rules. We have a Prime Minister who has been found to have broken the rules, lied about it, and then been fined.
“If I were issued with a fine, I would do the decent thing and step down.”
ADVERTISEMENT
At the time the event took place, COVID-19 lockdown rules banned household mixing indoors, with the exception of working, which is why Labour has claimed it can prove the beers and curry shared by its team were part of a working day preparing for the Hartlepool by-election.
However, Durham Constabulary subsequently opened an investigation after calls from Tory MPs for them to investigate the incident.
Durham Police’s investigation is set to carry on at least until June, when any of the at least 15 people present could face a penalty if it is deemed they broke the law.
Featured Image – Parliament TV
News
Two teens arrested after stabbing of 14-year-old boy in Manchester city centre
Emily Sergeant
Two teenagers have been arrested following the stabbing of a 14-year-old boy in Manchester city centre over the weekend.
In case you need bringing up to speed first, at around 3:15pm this past Saturday afternoon (17 October 2026), officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called out to reports of a stabbing on the ninth floor of the Arndale carpark in Manchester city centre.
Emergency services attended the scene, and a 14-year-old boy was taken to hospital with injuries consistent with a stab wound.
Thankfully, the victim’s injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life changing, but an investigation and enquiries are ongoing.
Police conceded that this will ‘understandably’ cause concern in the community, but has assured the public that they believe this to be an ‘isolated incident.
And now, it has been confirmed that two teenage boys, also aged 14, were arrested on Sunday night (18 October) on suspicion of grievous bodily harm, and tat this time, they are currently in custody for questioning.
“We’d like to thank the local community for their support during our investigation as well as the passersby who helped the victim following this incident,” commented Detective Inspector Sean McFadden, of GMP’s City of Manchester district.
“Your quick-thinking undoubtedly saved the victim from potentially life-threatening injuries.
“We appreciate that incidents of this nature can cause concern and we’d like to reassure the public that we understand this was an isolated incident and there is no wider threat to the community.
“Officers worked quickly and arrested two juveniles on Sunday, and they currently remain in custody for questioning.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log 2050 of 17/10/2026, or via the LiveChat function. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
News
UK Government announces £100 fines for ‘antisocial behaviour’ on public transport
Emily Sergeant
The Government has today announced plans to tackle antisocial behaviour on public transport.
In a bid to crackdown on loud music, littering, vaping, and other threatening behaviour on buses and trains, guidance was issued by the Government today for local authorities to prosecute and even issue fines of up to £100.
For many, playing audio out loud on public transport – also known as ‘loudcasting’ – has become one of modern life’s most irritating parts of the daily commute, but now, a new national campaign is aiming to encourage rail passengers, in particular, to ‘share the carriage, not the noise’ to improve the journey experience for all.
This will include reminders of the rules in place on the rail network and, if a passenger refuses to stop when asked by authorised rail staff, they can be removed from the train at the next station or face fines up to £1,000.
On buses, however, the powers for authorities were already made possible by the Bus Services Act 2025, meaning all local transport authorities in England are able to set and enforce their own rules.
Authorised officers – including transport safety officers and the police – will be responsible for enforcement, rather than bus drivers themselves, and they will be tasked with a three-step approach to deal with incidents. They will need to:
Engage with the person
Explain the rules and their impact on other passengers
Take enforcement action if they refuse to comply
“We’ve all been on the train when someone starts blasting music or videos from their phone,” commented Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
“It gets on your nerves and can quickly spoil the journey, so we’re launching a nationwide campaign reminding passengers to use headphones on trains. On top of that, we’re giving local leaders new powers to tackle loud music, vaping and littering on buses.
“It’s a simple thing, but one that will make journeys that little bit better for all of us.”
Ben Plowden, Chief Executive at the Campaign for Better Transport, added: “Antisocial behaviour is not just irritating, it can be a real deterrent to people using public transport – especially people with different accessibility requirements.
“If these new powers are properly and visibly enforced, they should help everyone feel safe and comfortable on public transport and enjoy the ride.”
Emily Sergeant -
1st June 2022 
