ANDREW MARR rattled Labour deputy leader after challenging Angela Rayner to take responsibility for the care home crisis that has shocked the country during the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n
Andrew Marr demanded Labour take responsibility for the coronavirus chaos, as the BBC host pointed out that Labour-run Wales showed \u201cthe exact same problems\u201d. Marr challenged Labour\u2019s deputy leader Angela Rayner to \u201cshare responsibility\u201d with the Tories as the BBC host blamed the ongoing crisis on both main parties. Angela Rayner looked stunned and dodged the question in her response, instead blaming the guidance that Downing Street had issued on care homes.
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When Ms Rayner said that the Government had \u201ctragically let down\u201d care home workers, Marr interrupted the senior Labour figure.<\/p>\n
The BBC political host said: \u201cThey have been tragically let down by Labour Governments as well as Conservatives ones.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a long-term problem, the ignoring of the care home sector and its underfunding.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn Wales, where Labour is in charge, we see exactly the same problems about the lack of testing.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo this is something that at least two of the main parties have the share responsibility for.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Rayner responded: \u201cWell, the national framework and guidance the governments put out was totally inadequate.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe allowed people to be discharged without the testing. So we seeded the virus in care home.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Government has really let these care workers down. They really do need to step up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marr went on to accuse Labour of acting \u201ctoo aggressive\u201d in its criticism of the Government.<\/p>\n
He cited Dawn Butler, a Labour MP who claimed this week that Boris Johnson was intentionally \u201csending people to catch coronavirus\u201d.<\/p>\n
Ms Rayner didn\u2019t respond to Ms Butler\u2019s remarks, but said: \u201cKeir Starmer has been quite clear from the start, we want to be a constructive opposition. Honestly, I really want them to succeed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was working with the DfE when I was Shadow Education Secretary, I was working with Gavin to try to make sure the provisions were in place. And I think thats absolutely the right thing to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we also have to call out when things are not done correctly.\u201d<\/p>\n
The interview sparked a backlash across the political spectrum online.<\/p>\n
Labour supporters, including local Labour councillors, criticised Marr for \u201cdoing the Tories work for them\u201d.<\/p>\n
Vivienne Windle, a Labour councillor in Southampton, branded Marr \u201ca ghastly Tory apologist\u201d.<\/p>\n
Others applauded Marr for holding Labour to account, and attacked Ms Rayner for \u201cdodging the criticism of Labour\u2019s handling of coronavirus in Wales\u201d.<\/p>\n
One tweeted: \u201cAndrew Marr has just called her out over Labours culpability in relation to Care Home underfunding in Labour run areas over the years. But its easier to just blame the government for everything isnt it?\u201d<\/p>\n
Another added: \u201cAngela Rayner blames Conservative government for care home deaths. Andrew Marr points out Wales record is as bad under Labour, and actually Scotland worse under SNP.\u201d
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