Sir Keir Starmer desperately tried to deflect the row over the appointment of Sue Gray, accusing the Government of "resurrecting" the story to keep away from speaking about the price of dwelling disaster. The Labour chief steered the Government was solely elevating the problem as an try to divert consideration forward of the price of dwelling disaster. While he claimed no guidelines had been damaged in Ms Gray's appointment, Sir Keir stated "people across the country" are "not talking about Sue Gray, they're talking about how to pay the bills".

This comes forward of the publication of a report from the Government at present, which can assist ethics watchdog ACOBA counsel how a lot gardening depart Ms Gray ought to take earlier than becoming a member of Sir Keir's crew.

When requested by BBC Breakfast whether or not any guidelines had been damaged within the appointment of Ms Gray, Sir Keir stated: "Firstly I had no discussions with her while she was investigating Boris Johnson, whatsoever.

"I do not assume anyone is suggesting that's the case. I'm assured that she hasn't damaged any of the principles.

"Whenever a senior civil servant leaves the civil service there is always a process they have to go through before they take up another job.

"That's the method she goes by means of, fairly rightly too. The course of I'd anticipate her to undergo."

He tried to downplay the weight of the report, saying: "Actually at present there's nothing a lot new about this and I'm afraid with 48 hours to the election, whats occurring is the federal government is attempting to resurrect a narrative about Sue Gray, primarily as a result of they do not need to speak about the price of dwelling disaster, which most individuals need to speak about."

The presenter queried: "So you assume it is a timing subject?"

Sir Keir responded: "You need to smile when the Government raises a problem like this with 48 hours to go earlier than the polls."

But the presenter interrupted, saying: "Because they realize it might probably harm you!"

The Labour leader then diverted attention onto the Conservative Party directly, saying: "What I'd say to the Government is, if you happen to're listening to individuals throughout the nation, they are not speaking about Sue Gray, they're speaking about pay the payments.

"For heaven's sake, they're not sitting at their breakfast table talking about Sue Gray, they're talking about their bills.

"And if the Government focussed on the suitable decisions then they would not be within the mess they're in."