As Sir Keir Starmer faces scrutiny over accepted donations and freebies, Emily Thornberry defends his actions, while Wes Streeting lightens the mood with a joke about being a Taylor Swift fan

Emily Thornberry, former shadow attorney general, has stepped into the spotlight to defend Sir Keir Starmer amidst growing controversy surrounding his acceptance of donations and freebies. The Labour leader, currently facing criticism, is embroiled in a row over donations from Labour peer Lord Waheed Alli, who provided over £5,000 worth of dresses for Starmer’s wife, Victoria, along with £18,685 in work clothes and several pairs of glasses for Starmer himself.

Adding to the debate, it was revealed that Lady Starmer had also received two free tickets to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, further fueling the controversy. Thornberry responded to the criticisms by questioning whether the public expects the Prime Minister to forgo such benefits altogether. She argued that such donations are commonplace in politics and highlighted the need to distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable gifts.

During her defence, Thornberry noted that politicians and their partners often face expectations to maintain a high standard of appearance. She suggested that questioning the appropriateness of such donations could lead to absurd scenarios, such as a Prime Minister bringing a packed lunch to a state dinner at Buckingham Palace.

Wes Streeting, another senior Labour figure, joined the fray with a lighter touch. He joked about being “outed” as a Taylor Swift fan, addressing the reports of him accepting free concert tickets. Streeting emphasized the importance of transparency and adherence to rules, asserting that there are no conflicts of interest as long as the donations are declared properly.

The controversy began when it emerged that Sir Keir initially failed to register the £5,000 donation from Lord Alli in a timely manner. A spokesperson from Number 10 explained that this oversight was corrected once advice was sought from the authorities. Lord Alli, a prominent Labour donor, had also received a high-level security pass for Downing Street following the election and provided accommodation worth over £20,000 to Sir Keir.

Tory chairman Andrew Griffith requested an investigation into potential breaches of parliamentary rules by the parliamentary standards commissioner, Daniel Greenberg. However, Downing Street later confirmed that the commissioner decided not to pursue the investigation.

Sir Keir Starmer underscored his commitment to following the rules, stating that he had sought advice on proper declarations shortly after the election to ensure compliance. Meanwhile, Cabinet minister Dame Angela Eagle faced difficulties defending Starmer, telling Times Radio that she was not responsible for his decisions and had no personal opinion on the matter.

SKY NEWS

Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, has declared a staggering £107,145 in gifts, benefits, and hospitality since December 2019, the highest amount of any MP, according to Sky News’ Westminster Accounts project. This figure significantly exceeds the next highest MP, Lucy Powell, who has declared £40,289.

Starmer’s substantial total includes high-value items and experiences, such as £12,588 worth of gifts from the Premier League, including expensive football tickets and hospitality. Notable among these are four Taylor Swift concert tickets valued at £4,000, Euros finals tickets costing £1,628, and over £6,000 worth of Arsenal match tickets.

The scale of Starmer’s accepted gifts has raised concerns within government circles about potential conflicts of interest, particularly given ongoing discussions about overhauling the football regulator—a topic the Premier League is actively lobbying against. Critics argue that accepting such hospitality from influential organizations could compromise the Prime Minister’s impartiality.

One government official described the situation as “nuts” and suggested that such freebies should be banned. The concern is that by continuing to accept these perks, Starmer may be opening himself up to inappropriate lobbying and undermining public trust in his office.

The high volume of gifts and the nature of the received hospitality have attracted significant scrutiny, highlighting the need for transparency and potential reform in how political gifts are managed.

THE GUARDIAN

In this week’s Politics Weekly UK, John Harris delves into two major issues troubling Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The ongoing “frockgate” scandal, which centres on the lavish gifts and free clothing received by Starmer’s wife, Victoria, continues to dominate headlines and generate public scrutiny.

Political correspondent Aletha Adu, who has been travelling with Starmer, provides insights into the implications of the scandal and its impact on the Prime Minister’s reputation. The controversy over the lavish gifts and the failure to initially declare them raises questions about transparency and ethical standards.

In addition to “frockgate,” Starmer’s recent visit to far-right Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has sparked significant backlash within his own party. The decision to engage with Meloni, whose far-right agenda contrasts sharply with Starmer’s policies, has been controversial. This visit has prompted internal dissent and concerns about the alignment of Starmer’s international stance with his domestic policies.

Europe correspondent Jon Henley joins the discussion to examine the broader implications of Starmer’s visit within the context of the rise of far-right movements across Europe. The episode explores how these developments might influence the UK’s political landscape and Starmer’s position as Labour leader.