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Welsh Tory MP calls on Boris Johnson to withdraw false Jimmy Savile attack on Keir Starmer

03 Feb 2022 2 minute read
Stephen Crabb by Chris McAndrew (CC BY 3.0). Boris Johnson. Picture by British Embassy Belgrade (CC BY 2.0).

A Welsh Conservative MP has called on the Prime Minister to withdraw his false claim that Labour leader Keir Starmer had a role in the decision not to prosecute Jimmy Savile.

Speaking to the Pembrokeshire Herald, Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb said: “I thought the Jimmy Saville smear used by Boris Johnson towards Keir Starmer was ill-judged and not befitting of a Prime Minister. He should withdraw it.”

Keir Starmer was the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and head of the CPS from 2008 until 2013, but was not involved in the decision not to prosecute Jimmy Savile. In 2013 Starmer apologised for the CPS’ shortcomings.

However, during Prime Minister’s Questions like week, Boris Johnson claimed that Keir Starmer “spent most of his time prosecuting journalists and failing to prosecute Jimmy Savile”. He doubled down on the claim on Wednesday’s PMQs.

The attack has landed Boris Johnson in hot water with allies as well as political foes. Today his head of policy, Munira Mirza, resigned citing the Prime Minister’s “inappropriate and partisan” attack on Keir Starmer over Jimmy Savile.

Ms Mirza, 43, who has worked with Boris Johnson since his days as Mayor of London, wrote in her resignation letter, seen by the Spectator: “I believe it was wrong for you to imply this week that Keir Starmer was personally responsible for allowing Jimmy Savile to escape justice.

“There was no fair or reasonable basis for that assertion. This was not the usual cut and thrust of politics; it was an inappropriate and partisan reference to a horrendous case of child sex abuse.

“You tried to clarify your position today but, despite my urging, you did not apologise for the misleading impression you gave.”

She continued: “You are a better man than many of your detractors will ever understand which is why it is so desperately sad that you let yourself down by making a scurrilous accusation against the Leader of the Opposition.”

 


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Dave
Dave
2 years ago

“better man than your detractors think”? the fella is a lying toe rag with the morals of a sewer rat, just ask his ex-wives; but it must be said that he is the perfect embodiment of a Tory leader.

Peter Cuthbert
Peter Cuthbert
2 years ago

One has to feel somewhat sorry for the staff who have to work around him. That Munira Mirza has resigned does show that many of them still have a sense of good behaviour and are not totally corrupted. De Piffle has managed to live down to all that we expected of him so it seems unlikely that he will go until he gets a ‘knife in the back’ from the Lets have a Party Tory Party.

Kerry Davies
Kerry Davies
2 years ago

Munira Mirza who has been with Johnson for years and is herself a truly nasty piece of work has abandoned him over the Savile smears.
When the nasties find you too nasty to work with the end is nigh.

Dai Rob
Dai Rob
2 years ago

A Liar.
And a pervert.
Top quality politicians, both of them.

Quornby
Quornby
2 years ago

It’s OK to steal from our nation but you mustn’t s**g off Starmer.

david hughes
david hughes
2 years ago

Starmer says Boris is boss at no 10, so he is responsible for these ”parties”. He was boss of the DPP when they refused to take action against Jimmy Saville. Therefore, in his own words, he must be responsible. Can’t have it both ways.

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