PM Misses 'Open Goal' To Boost Women's Sport After Euro Victory, Says Labour

Labour has accused the government of missing an "open goal" opportunity to build a legacy of women's sporting achievement on the back of the England Lionesses' historic Euros victory.

- Andrew Woodcock

The accusation came as Boris Johnson ruled out a bank holiday to celebrate the female footballers' success in beating Germany 2-1 to claim their first major trophy at Wembley on Sunday.

Labour's sports spokeswoman Lucy Powell urged Mr Johnson to change his mind, arguing that a bank holiday would give clubs the chance for clubs to promote the game to women and girls. And she said that all the Lionness squad should be recognised in the New Year's Honours.

Downing Street signalled that the PM backs gongs for the Euro squad, stating that he "would definitely want to see the team receive the recognition they rightly deserve for their historic victory".

But Mr Johnson's official spokesperson batted away calls for a bank holiday, saying there were "no plans" to add a celebratory day off to the current roster.

The PM raised eyebrows by failing to attend the Euro final on Sunday, having joined fans in the stands at Wembley dressed in an England shirt when Gareth Southgate's team reached the equivalent men's fixture last year.

The game came a day after Mr Johnson and his wife Carrie hosted friends and family for a belated wedding celebration at the country house home of Tory donor Lord Bamford.