Rattled Labour mounts frantic attempt to rebut Sunak’s tax-rise claim

Horror after leaders' debate galvanises party into fierce counterattack, labelling PM a liar and linking conduct to Partygate

• Starmer says Sunak broke ministerial code with 2,000 Labour tax claim

Labour mobilised a frantic counterattack on Rishi Sunak on Wednesday as it attempted to rebut misleading claims about potential tax rises, linking the prime minister's claims to his conduct over Partygate and calling him a liar.

There was widespread unease in the party last night, including among shadow ministers and senior MPs, that its leader, Keir Starmer, had not effectively challenged Sunak's claim that Labour's spending plans would cause taxes to rise by 2,094, according to what the prime minister said were independent civil service costings.