Labour turn on tax 'liar' Sunak

LABOUR branded Rishi Sunak a liar after it emerged senior officials had told ministers not to say civil servants were behind Tory claims that Sir Keir Starmer was planning tax hikes if elected.

The Prime Minister repeatedly highlighted the allegation during his ITV head-to-head debate with Sir Keir Starmer, claiming “independent Treasury officials” have costed Labour’s policies “and they amount to a £2,000 tax rise for everyone”.

But the Treasury’s permanent secretary James Bowler said ministers had been told not to suggest civil servants produced the figure at the heart of the Tory attack.

As the Prime Minister doubled down on the attack with an online advert, Labour accused him of being a “desperate liar”.