Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer tests positive for covid

Sir Keir Starmer tested positive for covid before Prime Minister’s Questions

Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer has tested positive for covid-19 on a lateral flow test taken earlier on Wednesday (October 26).

Starmer has forfeit his opportunity to challenge Chancellor Rishi Sunak in-person on today’s budget announcement.

It’s a day full of important engagements for Starmer. Members of the shadow cabinet have hastily rallied to cover him.

Former leader of the Labour Party and Shadow Energy Minister, Ed Miliband, took Starmer’s place in Prime Minister’s Questions.

Angela Rayner is unable to deputise for the Labour leader as she is currently on bereavement leave.

Traditionally, the Leader of the Opposition will receive the Chancellor’s budget. As he is unavailable, Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves will cover for the covid-positive Labour Leader.

Starmer will be forced to self-isolate for 10 days and will therefore miss the beginning of the COP26 climate change summit.

The Labour leader takes daily lateral flow tests. This is the first time he has tested positive.

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