Sir Keir Starmer has come under fire after inviting a content creator who previously labelled Boris Johnson “mentally ill” to a press conference.
Chris Chandler, who goes by the username “newswithchris” on TikTok, received an invitation to attend the Prime Minister’s first public engagement of 2026 on Monday in Reading.
The invitation is part of No10’s revamped media strategy, which has seen Downing Street cut daily press briefings from two to one while opening some events to digital creators alongside traditional journalists.
The influencer’s social media history shows a consistent pattern of strongly anti-Conservative sentiment.
Chris Chandler received an invitation to attend the Prime Minister’s first public engagement of 2026
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NEWSWITHCHRIS/TIKTOK
In July 2022, as Mr Johnson faced the Commons liaison committee amid mass ministerial resignations, Mr Chandler wrote: “Boris telling the #LiaisonCommittee he’s having a terrific week?
“Even though he’s had the biggest resignations of government in history?
“Surely the Queen can step in now because the man is mentally ill.”
The TikTok influencer also previously labelled Mr Johnson “toxic” and a “baby”.
The TikTok influencer also previously labelled Mr Johnson ‘toxic’ and a ‘baby’
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GETTY
Mr Chandler also publicly backed Sir Keir during the “beergate” controversy, declaring him “more of a leader than Boris Johnson will ever be”.
His posts grew increasingly explicit, with a January 2023 message to followers stating: “off the record f*** the Tories! Also f*** Brexit!”
In February 2023, Mr Chandler claimed to have carried out the “first UK interview” with Julia Wandelt, a 24-year-old Polish woman who alleged she was Madeleine McCann.
Wandelt was found guilty in October, following a six-week trial, of harassing Gerry and Kate McCann.
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Mr Chandler also publicly backed Sir Keir during the ‘beergate’ controversy
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GETTY
Although Mr Chandler was invited to Monday’s Reading event, it is understood he did not attend.
He has, however, previously put questions directly to the Prime Minister, including at the post-Budget press conference last November, where he raised concerns about the introduction of digital ID and data privacy.
Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: “Scrapping lobby briefings – a basic safeguard of transparency that comes with press scrutiny – only to handpick who gets access to the Prime Minister is a clear downgrade in standards.
“Chris Chandler has a track record of calling former prime ministers ‘mentally ill’ and promoting absurd claims about Madeleine McCann.
“That is not serious scrutiny. It looks far more like a Government choosing softball supporters over hard questions.
“The British public expect accountability, not selective access and social media stunts from Downing Street.”
A No10 spokesman said on Monday: “I think he spoke this morning to digital lobby platforms from a number of different outlets, as well as national broadcasters and regional media.
“We make decisions on PM media, depending on a case-by-case basis.”