Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister and Labour Party Deputy Leader, has come under fire for hiring a photographer at taxpayer expense. The appointment, reportedly costing £68,000 annually - more than double the UK's average salary - has reignited debates about the use of public funds and alleged "freebies" within the Labour leadership.
Simon Walker, the newly appointed photographer, will document Rayner's governmental work and contribute to the Ministry of Housing's communications efforts. While it has become standard practice for No 10 to employ a photographer for the Prime Minister in recent years, Rayner is reportedly the first deputy to have a dedicated photographer.
The government has defended the appointment, stating that Walker is part of the department's broader communications team rather than a personal hire for Rayner. However, the Conservative Party has criticized the move as a "vanity" project, drawing parallels to other donations Rayner has accepted.
This controversy comes amid an ongoing "freebies" row that has affected the Labour leadership. The situation has also exposed Labour to accusations of hypocrisy, as the party previously criticized Boris Johnson's photographer hire in 2021 as part of a "coterie of vanity photographers."
Rachel Reeves, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, addressed the issue during interviews at the Labour Party Conference. She emphasized that Walker's role extends beyond personal photography for Rayner, supporting the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's work. Reeves stated, "All government departments under all governments have press officers and communications budgets."
The controversy has escalated to the point where Rayner may face an investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner. The inquiry would focus on her use of a $2.5 million New York apartment provided by Lord Alli, a Labour peer. The Conservative Party has written to Daniel Greenberg, the parliamentary commissioner for standards, alleging that Rayner's "failure to properly register" the apartment donation may have breached the House of Commons code of conduct.
In response to the backlash, Rayner defended her actions during an interview on BBC One's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg. She stated, "I think I followed the rules," and added, "I get that people are frustrated, in particular the circumstances that we're in, but donations for gifts and hospitality and monetary donations have been a feature of our politics for a very long time."
As the debate continues, the Labour Party faces increased scrutiny over its use of public funds and adherence to transparency standards. The controversy highlights the ongoing challenges political parties face in balancing public perception with the practical needs of government communication and operations.
"I get that people are frustrated, in particular the circumstances that we're in, but donations for gifts and hospitality and monetary donations have been a feature of our politics for a very long time."
This situation underscores the importance of clear guidelines and transparency in political spending and donations, as well as the need for consistent standards across all political parties when it comes to the use of public resources.