Marcus Rashford shames Johnson and Starmer over food hampers scandal – The Yorkshire Post says

Unlike the Prime Minister and Opposition leader trading insults, and barbs, in the House of Commons, it is the footballer who is now showing these supposed statesmen how to conduct themselves.

He was the first to highlight the plight of children going hungry in a lockdown and recession before prompting a Government U-turn on free meals – something Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, still cannot bring himself to acknowledge.

He was the first this week to expose the parsimonious hampers (and that’s being generous) that Government contractor Chartwells, and presumably Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, deemed acceptable to distribute.

And he was the first to get on the phone to Mr Johnson before PMQs, ascertaining an assurance that Downing Street is “committed to correcting the issue with the food hampers”.

Not only has Mr Rashford – who, let it be remembered, is not a professional politician – done more than anyone else to resolve this, but he has again done so in a non-partisan way which is another quality of his End Child Food Poverty campaign.

Nevertheless, it does not preclude The Yorkshire Post from asking how this scandal happened, who is overseeing public contracts and what recompense will Chartwells provide to those families insulted by its frugal offerings and its tactless apology?

Furthermore, this newspaper expects a statement to Parliament by Mr Williamson answering these questions – and the steps being taken to ensure such own goals never happen again. As Mr Rashford says, children left to starve through no fault of their own are not to blame.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click here to subscribe.