BBC Newsnight star slams ‘sickening’ Labour MPs live on TV

Iain Dale has slammed Labour MPs for their “sick-making” response to Sir Keir Starmer’s final address at Prime Minister’s Questions. Appearing on Newsnight on Wednesday evening, the broadcaster responded to a clip of Rachel Reeves and other Labour politicians giving Starmer a standing ovation in the House of Commons. “How sick-making was that,” Dale scolded. “The very people that got rid of him had the cheek to stand up and clap him.”

A sentiment which clearly resonated with viewers, several flocked to social media in response. “I’m with @IainDale, a couple of weeks ago the knives were out!” tweeted one. “I hope Labour don’t regret their back-stabbing ousting of Keir Starmer,” added another.

Meanwhile, a third remarked: “It’s the standing ovation given by the people that betrayed him that got me. It’s been a disgraceful episode all round with very few from the PLP coming out of it looking good. Starmer goes with honour & dignity intact.”

“The real illusion is the suggestion that this all happened naturally,” noted a fourth. “To many, it looks like a leadership handover that has been quietly choreographed for years.”

Starmer, who confirmed his resignation as Prime Minister in June, is expected to hand the reins to Makerfield MP Andy Burnham in the coming days. Starmer, who appears to have lost Labour’s confidence in recent months, gracefully bowed out on Wednesday as he delivered his final speech at Prime Minister’s Questions.

“To my successor, and to each of you, I will give my full support. To all colleagues across the House, can I wish you good health and happiness,” he said. “To all those in the gallery, whose lives have been changed or improved by this Labour government, and all across the country who struggle to be seen or heard, you are the reason I came into politics. To my wife and children, I love you. Goodbye.”