Sky News star Beth Rigby didn’t hold back in her latest interview with prime minister Keir Starmer – and proceeded to tear him to shreds
Keir Starmer was torn apart on Sky News (Image: Sky News)
Sky News reporter Beth Rigby left no holds barred as she tore into prime minister Sir Keir Starmer live on the programme. Dissecting his plans for the upcoming Budget, Rigby grilled the PM on the “chaos” at Downing Street, refusing to let up when he evaded each question with the same statement.
Rigby started the interrogation by asking: “Prime minister, is it important that politicians stick to their word?” only for Starmer to respond: “ Yes it is important that politicians stick to their word. They have to make decisions against difficult backdrops, and we’ve obviously got big decisions to make in the Budget that’s coming in just a few days’ time.”
Rigby then pressed: “So I’ve got your manifesto here. Will you keep your word not to increase taxes on working people? It’s on page 21 in this document.”
Starmer would only say: “Well, we’ve made that commitment and obviously we’ll lay out our plans at the Budget, which is just a few days away now, so you’ll be able to see exactly what decisions we’ve made. Now obviously we’ve made those decisions against a very difficult backdrop.”
A relentless Rigby went on: “PM, you told me a year ago, days before the 2024 Budget, you said ‘We made an absolute commitment that income tax wouldn’t go up, National Insurance wouldn’t go up, their VAT – as in working people – wouldn’t go up. I said that in the campaign, we’re going to keep those promises.’
Beth Rigby didn’t hold back (Image: Sky News)
Starmer only repeated himself, stating: “Well, Beth, we’re going to set this out in just a few days-“ but he was cut off, as Rigby fumed: “You won’t, will you? You said that just a few days before the last Budget. You did make the commitment a few days before the last Budget.”
Later in the interview, she skewered him with the statement: “PM, you promised to end the chaos when you were elected, but since the summer we’ve had Winter Fuel U-turn, welfare U-turn, Rayner’s resignation, Mandelson’s sacking, Andy Burnham’s leadership drama, the Wes Streeting No. 10 showdown… You haven’t ended chaos, you are the chaos!”
Starmer was left stammering in his response, and would only say: “Look, e-e-every minute we aren’t talking about the cost of living is a wasted minute,” as an irate Rigby replied: “But this is chaos!”
