Gary Neville defends Keir Starmer over football tickets controversy

Gary Neville publicly supported Sir Keir Starmer amid controversy over the acceptance of high-end football tickets during Labour's conference in Liverpool. He criticized the scrutiny faced by the Prime Minister, arguing that it was disproportionate compared to the corruption seen in the previous Tory government. Neville highlighted that Starmer has been a lifelong Arsenal season ticket holder and questioned the fairness of the criticism directed at him for attending matches in hospitality boxes. The former footballer expressed his frustration with the focus on Starmer's ticket donations, especially when contrasted with the significant cronyism and corruption that characterized the previous administration. He pointed out that many critics of Starmer would likely find themselves in similar hospitality situations, suggesting a level of hypocrisy in the criticism. Neville also defended the new Labour government, stating that it was too early to judge their performance after just ten weeks in office. He compared the situation to a new CEO settling into a company, emphasizing that a bedding-in period should be expected. He noted that the new government was facing harsher scrutiny than its predecessor, which had been allowed to operate without similar levels of public criticism. In conclusion, Neville's remarks reflect a broader concern about the media's focus on minor issues while overlooking significant past government failures. His defense of Starmer underscores a call for a more balanced evaluation of the new administration's early challenges and achievements.