SIR Keir Starmer’s Beergate excuses fell flat yesterday — as police finally hinted they might take action.
In a new grilling on the curry takeaway at Durham’s Miners Hall, where he was seen clutching a San Miguel bottle, the Labour leader claimed all local “restaurants and pubs were closed”.
Yet a simple check found that to be a lie.
Sir Keir claimed he was snapped during a break while working with MPs and aides on April 30 2021, when Covid rules meant no more than six people could dine together outdoors.
He told Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid: “People went through the kitchen, got a plate, had something to eat along with their work”.
But the rules for workplaces serving food at the time specifically stated: “There should not be any sharing of food and drink by staff who do not share a household.”
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Instead of eating in his office with dozens of others, Sir Keir could have walked just three minutes to Kingslodge Inn.
Thai River was also open. Waiter Kritsada Phetmalaikul, 20, recalled: “We were busy.
“But Sir Keir would have been more than welcome if he had decided to come here.”
The mining-themed Food Pit was open too, with room for 80 people in its outside area.
Manager Tony Morris: “We’re ten minutes’ walk from the Miners’ Hall and we were open on April 30 last year. We would have happily wined and dined them.”
Other eateries within a 15 minute walk include the Boat-Club Cocktail Bar and Steakhouse and the Whisky River Cocktail Bar and Café.
Meanwhile ex-Greater Manchester Police chief Sir Peter Fahy called on the Durham force to “look at the new information and reconsider their situation”.
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Tory MP Mark Jenkinson asked cops: “How much more evidence do you need?”
Last night Durham Police said: “We have received a number of recent communications, which we are considering and will respond in due course.”
