Jeremy Hunt had MPs in stitches – including Sir Keir Starmer himself – with a cheeky quip about the Labour leader’s weight as he invited him to “join me on my marathon training”.
The Chancellor could not resist a dig against the Leader of the Opposition as he delivered his Autumn budget statement, during which he pointed out that they were both “Surrey boys”.
He added: “I know he has been taking advice from Lord Mandelson, who rather uncharitably said he needs to shed a few pounds.”
Pointing to the benches opposite he added: “Ordinary families will shed more than a few pounds if that lot get in.”
Sir Keir appeared to see the funny side, at which point Mr Hunt followed up: “If he wants to join me on my marathon training he is most welcome as well.”
Lord Mandelson made his remarks during an discussion about the importance of presentation during Times Radio’s How to Win and Election podcast, comparing Labour leader with Rishi Sunak.
Stressing that clothes and appearance were “not unimportant” in politics, he suggested “Starmer needs to shed a few pounds and that would be an improvement”.
In response, Shadow Secretary for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting told LBC: “As the shadow health secretary I’m against that kind of fat shaming, Peter Mandelson should know better.
“Let me tell you we have seen the odd paunch from Peter over the years so in glass houses people shouldn’t throw stones.”
Mr Hunt is planning to run the London Marathon this year to raise money for the new Royal Surrey Cancer & Surgical Innovation Centre.
His JustGiving page says: “It is a project Jeremy started last year when he realised how serious the Covid backlog had become but what brilliant care is on offer at the Royal Surrey.
“In that year Jeremy’s brother Charlie was diagnosed with a sarcoma, a particularly aggressive cancer. He has had excellent treatment from the NHS and is still here nearly three years later – but it remains a huge battle for him and his family.
“He asked Jeremy to run the marathon for the first time with him, an offer that was nervously accepted! Charlie is hoping to run but may not be able to if it interrupts his treatment.”
