Labour’s Keir Starmer calls for political ‘unity’ amid Ukraine crisis after demanding Boris Johnson resign over Partygate police investigation

• The Labour leader demanded the PM stand down in January over Partygate
• Starmer accused Johnson of having ‘lost the moral authority’ to lead the country
• But asked about that call today, Sir Keir would not repeat it on live television 
• Follow all the latest updates on the Ukraine war on MailOnline’s live blog here 

Keir Starmer appeared to row back from his demands for Boris Johnson to resign over Partygate today as he called for UK political ‘unity’ over the invasion of Ukraine.

The Labour leader demanded the PM stand down in January amid the fallout from the probe into parties in Downing Street and whether they broke Covid laws.

Sir Keir accused Mr Johnson of having ‘lost the moral authority’ to lead the country, saying it is in the ‘national interest’ for him to quit.

But asked about that call today, Sir Keir would not repeat it, saying instead it is very important ‘we demonstrate unity’ against Russian aggression in Ukraine.  

He told the BBC’s Sunday Morning programme: ‘I do think there’s a basic question of trust. And it does seem a long time ago now, we were talking about all of the allegations that Prime Minister faces. Of course, he is still being investigated by the Metropolitan Police. I do think there’s an issue of trust.

‘I’m very clear as the leader of the opposition, leader of the Labour Party, that when it comes to standing up to Russian aggression, and standing in support of Ukraine, it’s very important in the United Kingdom and in our politics that we show the world that we’re united. 

The Labour leader demanded the PM stand down in January amid the fallout from the probe into parties in Downing Street and whether they broke Covid laws.

‘Therefore, whatever the challenges and frustrations and criticism I have of the Prime Minister, and I’ve got many on this issue, there is unity, and it’s very important that we demonstrate that unity.’

When asked if he would therefore withdraw his call for Boris Johnson to resign immediately, he said: ‘Look, at the moment the Prime Minister is obviously concentrating on the job in hand and we stand united as the United Kingdom on that issue.’

A party source said: ‘Our position has not changed’. 

In a speech at the Fabian Society, a left-wing socialist think tank, based in London, the Labour leader accused the embattled PM of going into hiding amid the ongoing Partygate scandal, telling

MPs to ‘do what they need to do’ to oust him. It came after the PM was forced to apologise to Parliament this week when a bombshell email revealed how his principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds, had invited more than 100 staff to No10’s lavish gardens on May 20 to ‘make the most of the lovely weather’ – telling guests to bring their own booze.

At the time two thirds (66 per cent) of voters said the PM should step down. But he has used the war in Ukraine to regain his grip on No10, taking a high profile role in standing up to Vladimir Putin.

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