Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, is facing scrutiny over a breach of parliamentary rules. The Labour leader failed to declare gifts received by his wife from Lord Alli, a prominent Labour donor and peer.
The undisclosed gifts included designer clothing and a personal shopper for Lady Starmer. This oversight has raised concerns about transparency and adherence to parliamentary regulations, which require MPs to register "any benefit given to a third party."
Lord Alli, who has been Starmer's largest personal donor, has previously provided the Prime Minister with work attire and eyewear valued at £18,685 over the past year. Additionally, he contributed £20,000 towards Starmer's accommodation during the general election campaign.
The revelation comes just ten weeks into Starmer's tenure as Prime Minister, potentially tarnishing his pledge to restore integrity to politics. The UK Parliament maintains strict rules on declaring gifts and benefits for MPs, with the Register of Members' Financial Interests being regularly updated and publicly accessible.
Downing Street reportedly sought advice on declaration requirements for Lady Starmer upon Starmer's assumption of office. However, subsequent inquiries revealed that the initial guidance was incorrect. A late declaration of the gifts is expected to be published next month.
The Conservative Party has called for a "full investigation" into the matter, criticizing Starmer's conduct and linking it to previous allegations of cronyism. This refers to the recent controversy surrounding Lord Alli's acquisition of a Downing Street security pass, which are typically reserved for staff and officials with regular business there.
"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."
This incident occurs against a backdrop of other appointments raising eyebrows. Ian Corfield, a donor to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, was given a temporary position at the Treasury before being moved to an unpaid advisory role following public scrutiny.
The situation has potentially contributed to a decline in Starmer's popularity. A recent poll indicated that 46% of respondents held an unfavorable view of the Prime Minister, the highest since June 2021 when Labour lost a traditionally safe seat in a by-election.
As the UK approaches its next general election, which must be held no later than January 2025, this controversy may impact Starmer's efforts to position Labour as a party of integrity and change. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges in maintaining transparency and public trust in British politics.