Good Morning Britain host Kate Garraway has been criticised after hitting out at Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer after he attended Wimbledon as Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigned. The PM's leadership came crumbling down on July 7 following the Chris Pincher scandal and he announced his resignation on Thursday, all the while Sir Keir had been at Wimbledon.
Sir Keir was snapped in the royal box at Wimbledon as the PM took to the lectern to announce he was resigning as Tory Party leader. Mr Johnson is however seeking to remain in power until a successor is chosen, a process which could take months.
The Labour leader took to the SW19 grounds on Thursday to watch matches on the Centre Court. He was seen kissing his wife Victoria ahead of the ladies semi-final match between Tunisian player Ons Jabeur and Germany's Tatjana Maria, the Liverpool Echo reports.
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His trip amid the chaos in Government was soon criticised by GMB's Kate Garraway. In an interview on July 8 Angela Rayner was asked if it was appropriate for Sir Keir to have attended Wimbledon.
Defending her colleague, Ms Rayner said: "Keir Starmer was in parliament all day yesterday, you saw him on the TV screens, he did many interviews. I was criticised for going to the opera, why shouldn't we celebrate our arts, sports and culture? It brings a big economic boost to our country and Keir Starmer is showing that he is getting on with the job."
Kate interjected and said: "Getting on with the job and going to Wimbledon, sorry Angela, but that isn't how people are seeing it is it? It looks like he's not in there tackling what people are worried about."
Ms Rayner said: "I disagree with that because if you look at the interviews yesterday, Keir Starmer spoke to the British public, he put forward what Labour's plans are for the economy."
She continued: "Keir Starmer is entitled to go to events as well outside of doing TV interviews, I don't think the British public will see that somehow as not doing the job.
"Most people in this country realise that you can do your day job and do it incredibly well, as well as have a social life and see your wife occasionally."
Many viewers took to Twitter to agree with Ms Rayner. To Smith said: "Why shouldn't Starmer be at Wimbledon? It's the Tories mess not Labour @GMB."
Charlotte said: "Christ? Who knew going to Wimbledon was such a crime."
Warren Peace tweeted: "#GMB Should Keir Starmer not have a life outside of work?? Are GMB really focusing on the fact he went to Wimbledon for the day???"
Rob JL said: "I'm not a Starmer fan but are #GMB seriously criticising Starmer for attending Wimbledon?"
Sara tweeted: "What exactly could @Keir_Starmer have been doing yesterday? Should he have been in No 10 packing up Boris Johnson’s belongings?"
Another said: "Cant believe @kategarraway asked this. How dare he go to the tennis hey. Least Ben put her right at end of interview."
Mike Simmonds said: "Everyone is entitled to have some fun, have a day out, why not. After all, it's a free society, a time for work, and time for fun."
After the interview, Kate's co-host Ben Shephard joked: "Game, set, match to Angela Rayner. Come on Kate."
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