The loss of the Hartlepool by-election in May 2021 came as a blow to the Labour leader. In its aftermath, he sacked the party chairman, Angela Rayner, triggering a stand-off. She reportedly went to the pub and turned off her phone.

Police will be taking no action over claims a voice coaching session for Sir Keir Starmer in December 2020 broke Covid lockdown rules. A Met Police spokesperson said the alleged incident fell outside the three-year deadline for initiating proceedings related to pandemic-era legislation.

Leonie Mellinger visited Labour’s London headquarters on Christmas Eve in 2020 and uploaded a picture of Brighton beach three days later

Starmer rages against ‘partying’ Tories as he hits back over voice coach lockdown row - The prime minister was challenged over whether he broke lockdown rules in 2021 with his voice coach Leonie Melli

Sir Keir Starmer has denied lockdown rules were broken when a voice coach was present during his preparation for a Brexit press conference. Leonie Mellinger was invited to coach the then-opposition leader on his response to Boris Johnson's Brexit deal, leading to accusations of a potential rule breach.

A voice coach is reported to have visited the Prime Minister to help him prepare a response to the Brexit deal while lockdown rules were in place.

Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer hired actress Leonie Mellinger in December 2020 when he was Labour leader and when London was in Tier 4 restrictions.

Communication skills specialist Leonie Mellinger is understood to have joined both the Prime Minister and Rachel Reeves to work during the pandemic.