Health minister Karin Smyth defended Sir Keir Starmer, saying he was working to prepare for interviews in the run up to the UK leaving the EU.

A senior Labour MP has launched a fierce defence of Prime Minister Keir Starmer over allegations he broke Covid lockdown rules - dismissing the claims as Conservative "mudslinging". Health Minister Karin Smyth told GB News: "I think what we're seeing again is more mudslinging by the Tories on this issue at a time when they were partying.

Leonie Mellinger visited Labour’s London headquarters on Christmas Eve in 2020 and uploaded a picture of Brighton beach three days later

The Tories say the Labour prime minister has questions to answer over Christmas Eve meeting with Leonie Mellinger

Sir Keir Starmer has denied lockdown rules were broken when he had voice coaching lessons during the Covid 19 lockdown. Leonie Miller was invited to coach the then-opposition leader on his response to Boris Johnson's Brexit deal, leading to accusations of a potential rule breach.

Sir Keir Starmer's voice coach is reported to have travelled more than 50 miles across lockdown tiers to meet him whilst strict Stay at Home orders were in place, raising fresh questions about potential Covid rule breaches.

A voice coach is reported to have visited the Prime Minister to help him prepare a response to the Brexit deal while lockdown rules were in place.

Watch the moment Jacob Rees-Mogg hilariously mocks Sir Keir Starmer's voice amid a row over whether the Prime Minister breached lockdown rules.Starmer, who was Leader of the Opposition at the time, is said to have called upon the services of a voice coach for in-person sessions while lockdown rules were at their peak.