Keir Starmer spending more time removing portraits than governing, says Priti Patel

Sir Keir Starmer has been spending more time removing portraits of “great strong conservative female leaders“ rather than governing, Priti Patel said during the official launch of her Tory leadership bid on Friday, 30 August. The former home secretary’s remark came after the prime minister moved a £100,000 portrait of Margaret Thatcher in 10 Downing Street because he found it “unsettling”. Conservative MPs have described the decision as “petty” and a “vindictive” act. “If he wants a picture to replace Margaret Thatcher, he can always have this one,“ Patel added. Watch more on Independent TV: The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. Subscribe: Find us on social: TikTok / @independent Instagram / X