Esther McVey, the 'common sense' minister, has announced a ban on civil servants wearing LGBT+ rainbow lanyards, arguing that such displays of political views should be left at home. The decision has sparked significant criticism, with Keir Starmer mocking the move and questioning the priorities of the government. Despite the announcement, reports indicate that the ban will not be enforced in Whitehall. Rishi Sunak defended the decision, emphasizing the importance of civil service impartiality and referencing Sue Gray.
Keir Starmer began his questioning of the Prime Minister by mocking Sunak banning 'colourful lanyards' Sunak responded by outlining his belief in 'civil service impartiality' and tells Starmer to 'ask his chief of staff about that', referencing Sue Gray #pmqs https://t.co/ZQyUkC0wZN
Keir Starmer jibes that Tories think LGBT+ lanyards are one of the 'dangers that threaten Britain' as he clashes with Rishi Sunak at PMQs https://t.co/WdjzzEtDmc https://t.co/Tkf0bNp2Bv
Rishi Sunak is behaving like a jumped up milk monitor, confiscating lanyards. A good summary of Sunak’s inadequacies from @Keir_Starmer at #PMQs
Starmer criticises PM for letting domestic abusers out of prison early as he goes for Sunak: 'Instead of confiscating lanyards like a jumped up school milk monitor he should stop letting people out early who are a risk to children'
'He's been busy on the front line of the war against lanyards' @Keir_Starmer attacks the PM over suggestions the Government will 'ban' civil servants wearing rainbow lanyards, and criticises 'a prison system in chaos' https://t.co/oAHJOzakTs
Rishi Sunak doubles down on the threat of rainbow lanyards. “Civil service impartiality is an important principle that we’re right to support. “Perhaps he could ask his chief of staff about that”. #PMQs https://t.co/z9rCtdtbHV
Starmer opens up by mocking the minister for common sense’s war on “colourful lanyards” Sunak shoots back: “Civil service impartiality is an important principle which we are proud to support. Perhaps he can ask his chief of staff about that?”
Keir Starmer: "The Prime Minister vowed to take on the grave dangers that threaten the country. So it was good to see the Minister for Common Sense immediately take up that mantle with a very vital crackdown on that gravest of threats - colourful lanyards" #pmqs
🔴 LGBT rainbow lanyards won’t be banned in Whitehall despite common sense minister’s announcement https://t.co/2Gt4HCMr0T
“Asking people to take their lanyard off is like taking a welcome sign out of a window.” @KezDugdale, tells #TimesRadio Esther McVey’s ban on civil servants wearing rainbow lanyards signals that "gay people are to be tolerated rather than included." 📻 https://t.co/lYTcJorjWb https://t.co/czCgfSF7zC
⚠️ The minister for common sense warned mandarins they should not try to express political views “by the back door” through rainbow-coloured lanyards that are worn to demonstrate support for LGBT rights https://t.co/uLil3U5wKg
🚨 NEW: The 'common sense' minister has banned rainbow lanyards for civil servants [@thetimes]
Esther McVey warns civil servants could be reprimanded for wearing LGBT+ lanyards as 'common sense' minister tells Whitehall officials to 'leave your political views at home' https://t.co/To02TnMwhW https://t.co/6jhaUqmCYb