Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is alleged to have broken parliamentary rules by failing to declare clothing bought for his wife, Victoria, by Labour donor Lord Waheed Alli. It is reported that the gifts covered Victoria Starmer’s clothing costs both before and after the general election. MPs are required to register gifts and donations within 28 days of receiving them. The prime minister reportedly approached parliamentary authorities on Tuesday to make a late declaration after being given fresh advice on what items needed to be disclosed.
A No 10 spokeswoman said that it was believed that the rules had been complied with, however, following further advice, further items had been declared. Lord Alli has previously bought clothes and glasses for Sir Keir, which have been listed on his entry on the register of MPs’ interests. Most recently, the fact Lord Alli provided accommodation for Sir Keir for several weeks has been declared, recorded as being worth more than £20,000.
In August, it emerged that Lord Alli had been given a temporary Downing Street security pass despite having no formal government role. The Conservative Party has called for the prime minister to be fully investigated into what it calls “apparent serious breaches of parliamentary rules”. Former Conservative MP Andy Carter, who previously sat on Parliament’s Standards Committee, said registering interests was a “base level responsibility of MPs” and Sir Keir “has form on this”.
The prime minister was referred to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner in 2022 when he was found to have been late in registering eight interests, including tickets to football matches and the sale of a plot of land. The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner has not yet commented on the Sunday Times report. Lord Alli was ennobled by Tony Blair in 1998 and has recently led fundraising for the Labour Party, as well as donating to individuals including Sir Keir
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