Thirsk, Malton and Filey MP: 'No need for Sir Keir Starmer to resign'
Kevin Hollinrake's been reacting to the Labour leader's recent statement that he'll step down if he's fined by police
The MP for Thirsk, Malton and Filey does not believe there is a case for Sir Keir Starmer to resign.
The Labour leader recently said IF he gets fined by police for breaking lockdown rules, which he denies, he will stand down.
He is being investigated after drinking beer and having a curry with colleagues while working in Durham.
Kevin Hollinrake also defended the Prime Minister when he was fined.
He said: "Do I think he's right? No. I think if we honestly expect a Prime Minister or leader of the opposition to step down because during work or end of the work day, they've had something to eat and a bottle of beer, with the people that have been in there all day working, I think that's ludicrous.
"The rules are there to stop different households mixing to stop the spread of the virus. Those households were already mixed in a work environment, then if they have a bottle of beer, which isn't against the rules in any shape or form that I've read, is that really going to increase the likelihood of the virus? I don't think it is.
"I concede the fact that the police judged the Prime Minister broke the law. It may be that the police will judge the opposition broke the law. My point on this is it a serious enough transgression to ask someone in a senior role to step down? I don't think it is. But that's a matter of judgment for the opposition.
"I just think the whole thing is completely out of proportion. I spoke to a lot of people during the last few weeks during the local elections, hardly anyone mentioned this and the people who did mention it to me were at the opinion that this has been massively overblown."