Reports suggest Labour leader Keir Starmer will pledge to resign his position if he is fined for breaching lockdown rules - prompting questions about who could replace him.
The Labour boss continues to face questions over the so-called 'beergate' saga. Durham Police are officially investigating claims he broke lockdown rules by having a beer and takeaway with staff during a campaign event last year.
Today, the Times newspaper is reporting that Sir Keir is now considering announcing that he will step down from his position if he is found to have broken lockdown rules and hit with a police fine. Neither Prime Minister Boris Johnson or Chancellor Rishi Sunak resigned after they were fined for lockdown breaches by the Metropolitan Police.
READ MORE: Sir Keir Starmer to be investigated by police over coronavirus breach allegations
The Times reports that close colleagues are urging Sir Keir to regain the political advantage by stating that he believes receiving a police fine for breaking covid rules is a resigning offence for a party leader. The thought is that this would firmly place the onus back on Boris Johnson and his own rule-breaking. The Labour leader cancelled an event this morning but is expected to make a new statement on the situation soon.
While Labour are hopeful their leader will not be fined, the fear is the next few weeks could be dominated by questions about the saga. It is felt that he could change the narrative by announcing he would go if found guilty.
Questions about Sir Keir potentially standing down if hit with a fine have naturally led to discussions and debates about who might be in contention to replace him were that to happen. A number of names have been cropping up already.
A number of betting companies have placed Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham in pole position to be the next Labour leader. This is interesting because he is not currently a Member of Parliament and it would be difficult to imagine him leaving his current role and securing a Parliamentary seat anytime soon.
But he has twice previously run for the leadership and in 2021 was quoted as saying: "In the distant future, if the party were ever to feel it needed me, well I'm here and they should get in touch", while adding that his focus remained on Greater Manchester.
Star Sports Bookmakers has Mr Burnham favourite at 7/2 to be next Labour leader, with shadow health secretary Wes Streeting next up at 5/1, deputy leader Angela Rayner on 8/1 and fellow shadow cabinet figures Rachel Reeves and Lisa Nandy currently priced at 9/1.
