Clash over Friday nights

SIR Keir Starmer insisted he would work on Friday nights if necessary as he dismissed “laughably ridiculous” criticism of his desire to spend time with his family.

The Labour leader, whose wife is Jewish, has come under fire from senior Tories after saying he wanted to avoid work after 6pm on a Friday – although he acknowledged that would not always be possible.

The Tories said that Sir Keir’s stance would make him a “parttime” prime minister while Cabinet ministers mocked him, suggesting he would refuse to go to work if there was an international crisis on a Friday evening.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said “there’s always work to do” and that “entails sacrifice”.

Friday night Shabbat dinners are important in the Jewish faith and Sir Keir has talked about making sure his children are aware of their heritage.