'I will resign if fined over Beergate', says Keir Starmer

What is happening?

New Covid Variant XFG Spreads Quickly in UK – Mild Symptoms but Watch for Hoarseness

July 7, 2025

A new Covid-19 variant known as Stratus (XFG and XFG.3) is rapidly spreading in the UK. The UK Health Security Agency reports these subvariants account for around 30% of cases in England, rising sharply in recent weeks.

What are the facts?

Last year The Sun published a picture of Keir Starmer drinking beer with Labour workers in a party office in Durham
It was a minor Tory attack line until recently – when Durham police decided to reipen the investigation into whether Starmer broke Covid lockdown rules.
Labour maintain no rules were broken and ‘Beergate’ is not equivalent to ‘Partygate’
Keir Starmer and deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner announced they will both step down if they are found to have breached Covid rules of the time – and are issued with a fine.
The left-leaning papers claim Starmer’s pledge is the right thing to do if he is fined, right-wing claim the announcement is a ploy to pressure police into dropping the investigation.
Most papers and media coverage agree the announcement is a ‘gambling’ of his political career.

'Piling pressure on police with threat to quit' The Daily Mail accuses Sir Keir of putting pressure on detectives who now know that their decisions could decapitate the official opposition.

Media Bias

UK polls point to a massive win for Labour. The party doesn’t want voters to think victory is a done deal

The Benefits from Pacific trade deal are ‘going to be enormous’ says Andrea Leadsom The News Bias Exposed Fact Check Related News Left leaning mostly

'desperate and outrageous' The Sun describes the Labour leader's announcement as a desperate and outrageous attempt to strong-arm police into clearing him.

Media Bias

Tories narrow gap to Labour in poll as Sunak says election result not ‘foregone conclusion’

Tories narrow gap to Labour in poll as Sunak says election result not ‘foregone conclusion’ The News Bias Exposed Fact Check Related News Right leaning

Keir Starmer's 'honour and integrity' The Daily Mirror contrasts his move with the prime minister's refusal to go after he was fined. "This is what honour looks like, Mr Johnson" is the paper's headline.

Media Bias

Labour vote share falls to lowest in more than two years

Labour vote share falls to lowest in more than two years The News Bias Exposed Fact Check Related News Right leaning mixed facts Labour’s vote

'Sharp contrast to Boris Johnson' FT says the Labour leader has struggled to define himself with voters. By offering to resign if he is fined by police he stands in sharp contrast to Boris Johnson

Media Bias

Sunak and Starmer clash in final election debate

Sunak and Starmer clash in final election debate Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer went head-to-head over tax, immigration, gender and Brexit in their final