Keir Starmer faces investigation after failing to declare gifts to wife from party donor
15 September 2024, 10:24
Keir Starmer is facing investigation after failing to declare gifts to his wife from a Labour party donor.
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The gifts, from prominent Labour donor Lord Alli, were not initially declared in the register of MPs' interests.
Sir Keir approached the parliamentary authorities on Tuesday to make a late declaration after being given updated advice on what needed to be registered, according to the Sunday Times.
The donations covered the cost of a personal shopper, clothes and alterations for Lady Starmer both before and after Labour's election win in July.
The Tories have since demanded a full investigation into his links with Lord Alli.
MPs are required to register gifts and donations within 28 days.
A No10 spokeswoman said: "We sought advice from the authorities on coming to office.
"We believed we had been compliant, however, following further interrogation this month, we have declared further items."
The guide to the Commons rules states MPs should register "any benefit given to any third party, whether or not this accompanied a benefit for him or her, if the Member is aware, or could reasonably be expected to be aware, of the benefit and that it was given because of his or her membership of the House or parliamentary or political activities".
It comes after it emerged that Lord Alli had been given a Downing Street security pass without apparently having a government role.
The row was dubbed the "passes for glasses" affair because Lord Alli has previously donated tens of thousands of pounds worth of clothing, accommodation and "multiple pairs" of spectacles to the Labour leader.
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."
