Keir Starmer firmly stands by Lucy Powell, disregarding criticisms concerning her comments regarding grooming gangs.
Loose, Unfiltered Chat:
Keir Starmer's right-hand woman, Lucy Powell, ain't goin' nowhere, claims Downing Street, despite her boneheaded comments about the grooming gangs scandal. But speculation's rife that Starmer could be shakin' up his inner circle as early as next month.
Rumors swirl that Boris could be axin' the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, a big move that'd leave Lisa Nandy out of a job. The department, which also handles tourism and civil society, might get absorbed into other departments,according to the Sunday Times.
There've also been whispers that Education Sec Bridget Phillipson could lose her gig in a summer reshuffle. When asked whether she'd still be keepin' her post by Christmas, Starmer's spokesperson danced around the question, sayin' the cabinet's focusin' on their change agenda.
Regarding the fate of the culture department, Number 10 was tight-lipped, simply statin' the cabinet's all about their Plan for Change.
However, the spokesperson was more explicit about Lucy Powell's future, declarin' Starmer's full support for the Commons leader. They reckoned her apology for her contentious comment on the grooming gangs scandal was enough.
The comment was made when Conservative commentator Tim Montgomerie started askin' a question on BBC Radio 4's Any Questions. "I don't know if you saw the documentary on Channel 4 about rape gangs," he began, refers to the recent show Groomed: A National Scandal, which focused on five girls who were sexually abused by gangs.
In response, Powell, Manchester Central's MP, said, "Oh, we want to blow that little trumpet now, do we? Yeah, OK, let's get that dog whistle out."
Starmer and the government have faced significant criticism over their handling of historical sex abuse cases in the UK. After her comment, Powell apologized, but not before the Conservatives called for her to quit.
Chris Philp, Shadow home secretary, fired off, "This outburst from a Labour cabinet minister insults the thousands of girls and women who were raped by grooming gangs over decades. We've consistently urged for a national enquiry in parliament, which has been blocked by Labour ministers who seem oblivious or uncaring about the vile crimes committed. Anyone who's watched the Channel 4 documentary knows this ain't a 'dog whistle.' To disregard victims, who were raped, and the cover-up is revolting. She should resign."
- Rumors suggest Keir Starmer might reconsider his policy-and-legislation team, potentially leading to a reshuffle as early as next month, with Secretary Lucy Powell's future being a topic of discussion.
- The culture department, led by Lisa Nandy, faces the possibility of being absorbed into other departments, according to recent rumors, following reports of its potential dissolution by Boris.
- Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson may find herself out of a job in a summer reshuffle, with the cabinet reportedly focusing on their change agenda, leaving her position uncertain.
- Despite criticism and calls for her resignation following her controversial comments about the grooming gangs scandal, Starmer's Secretary Lucy Powell retains his backing, despite the attention absorbed by the incident in the general news and politics.
