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Starmer pays tribute to late Holocaust Survivor and Jewish D-Day veteran at PMQs
Prime Minister tells the Commons 'we must ensure that Never Again means Never Again'
Keir Starmer has paid tribute to both the late Holocaust survivor Manfred Goldberg and to 100 year-old Jewish D-Day veteran Mervyn Kersh at the start of Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons.
The Prime Minister, under pressure over No.10 briefing claims, told MPs:”Can I welcome Mervyn Kersh to the gallery today – he’s a member of our greatest generation.
“A D-Day veteran who entered Bergen-Belsen days after it was liberated.”
Starmer revealed Kersh was now 100 years old.
He added:“I’m lucky to have met him twice, and I know that it took him many, many years before he felt he could even begin to tell his story, and we thank him for his service and the story he has told us in respect of it.”
The PM said the Government gave its “eternal thanks” to “Mervyn and all veterans” as it marked Armistice Day.
Starmer then asked MPs to reflect on the life of Holocaust survivor Goldberg, who died aged 95 on November 6.
The PM added that Goldberg had “shown extraordinary courage to share his testimony, and in his memory we must ensure that Never Again means Never Again.”
Starmer then went on to condemn as “completely unacceptable” briefings against Health Secretary Wes Streeting as a civil war erupted at the top of the Labour Party.
Streeting has categorically denied that he was plotting to oust the PM and called for those in No 10 briefing against him to face the sack.
At PMQs, Starmer said, “any attack on any member of my Cabinet is completely unacceptable”.
He said Streeting was doing a “great job” as he highlighted his record on turning around the NHS.
Karen Pollock CBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust said:” It was incredibly moving to hear the Prime Minister pay tribute to Manfred Goldberg MBE at Prime Minister’s Questions today, reflecting his profound impact on this country and its leaders.
“It was also special to hear the Prime Minister honour 100-year-old veteran Mervyn Kersh, who watched from the gallery.
“Mervyn served in the British Army during the Second World War and entered Bergen-Belsen days after its liberation. Both gave so much to this country, and it is right that they are honoured in this way.”
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