Politics

Starmer faces investigation over ‘free clothes’ for wife ‘paid for by Labour donor’

Sir Keir Starmer is under investigation for a possible breach of parliamentary rules after failing to declare that some of his wife’s high-end clothes were bought for her by his biggest personal donor, Lord Alli.

The Labour peer paid for a personal shopper, clothes and alterations for Lady Victoria Starmer, reportedly both before and after the Labour leader became prime minister in July, according to The Sunday Times.

This year, Sir Keir has received – and disclosed – nearly £19,000 worth of work clothes and several pairs of glasses from Lord Alli, the former chairman of online fashion retailer Asos, The Times reports.

In addition, the peer, whose personal wealth is estimated at £200m, spent £20,000 on accommodation for the now prime minister during the election and a similar sum on “private office” costs, which was also disclosed, the paper says.

Newly elected Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, with his wife Victoria Starmer, greet wellwishers as he arrives at his official London residence at No 10 Downing Street for the first time after the Labour party won a landslide victory at the 2024 General Election. Picture date: Friday July 5, 2024.
Image:
Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria Starmer arrive at No 10 Downing Street after Labour’s election victory. Pic: PA

A Labour Party spokesperson told Sky News it was an oversight that had been corrected after it “sought advice from the authorities on coming to office”. They added: “We believed we’d been compliant, however, following further interrogation this month, we’ve declared further items.”

The Tories called for a “full investigation” following The Sunday Times report.

A Conservative Party spokesman said: “It’s taken just 10 weeks for Keir Starmer to face an investigation for his conduct.

“After facing allegations of cronyism and now apparent serious breaches of parliamentary rules there must be a full investigation into the passes for glasses scandal.

“No doubt the millions of vulnerable pensioners across the country who face choosing between heating and eating would jump at the chance for free clothes just to keep warm in the face of Labour’s cruel cut.”

Read more from Sky News:
Tax the rich and spare pensioners, Davey says
No assessment carried out on winter fuel payment cut
Starmer talks up US-UK relationship after White House meeting

Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria ont he campaign trail in London. Pic: PA
Image:
Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria campaigning in London. Pic: PA

Lord Alli’s involvement with the Labour leader has already proved controversial after it emerged he had been given a Downing Street security pass without apparently having a government role.

The revelations are awkward for the prime minister, who has promised to clean up politics.

Lord Alli in 2014. Pic: Rex
Image:
Lord Alli in 2014. Pic: Rex

Sir Keir, like all MPs, must declare any of his relevant interests under rules set up to protect politics from improper influence and uphold transparency.

The Times said the prime minister’s office approached the parliamentary authorities to make the late declarations last Tuesday.

His advisers were already in touch with them by then after several designers had approached Lady Starmer asking if she was interested in free products such as clothes, jewellery and make-up.

Staff had asked if the prime minister would need to declare his wife being given those items if she accepted and were told he would.

Image:
Starmer and his wife at his general election count. Pic: PA

That prompted his team to ask if the previous gifts from Lord Alli should also have been declared on the same basis and it was decided they did.

They then wrote to the authorities to update the prime minister’s register of interests, which is scheduled to be published next month. Lady Starmer has separately declined to accept the offers from designers.

Articles You May Like

One of UK’s most wanted men jailed over plot to smuggle cocaine ‘worth £100m’ in banana boxes
Americans win Presidents Cup for 10th time in row
$25,000 electric Mazda, Tesla FSD v12.5 data dive, and a big, BIG crane
Austria’s far-right party projected to finish first in general election
SpaceX Crew-9 Mission Successfully Docks at ISS: Here’s Everything You Need to Know