Sir Keir Starmer faces increasing scrutiny over his acceptance of gifts and hospitality worth over £100,000 in the past five years. Labour grandee Baroness Harman has publicly criticised Starmer, accusing him of exacerbating the controversy by attempting to justify the freebies.
Baroness Harman, who was elevated to the peerage earlier this year by Starmer, highlighted that the Labour leader is “doubling down” on defending a donor covering substantial costs for clothing for both him and his wife. Starmer, however, maintains his actions are above board, arguing that using a corporate box to watch Arsenal matches actually saves taxpayer money by avoiding the need for extensive security in the stands.
A minister defended Starmer by asserting that it is appropriate for him to attend significant cultural and sporting events, like the recent Taylor Swift concert at Wembley, and that he deserves leisure time with his family.
The controversy began when it was revealed that Labour peer and fundraiser Lord Alli received an access-all-areas pass to Downing Street following the election victory. Lord Alli had given Starmer £16,200 for work clothing and an additional £2,485 for multiple pairs of glasses. Further revelations showed that Lord Alli, former head of online fashion retailer Asos, had also gifted thousands of pounds’ worth of clothes to Starmer’s wife, Lady Starmer. New calculations indicated that Starmer had received more freebies than any other MP, totalling £107,145 in gifts, benefits, and hospitality since December 2019.
“I think he’s unlikely to take gifts of clothes again.”
Labour peer Baroness Harman thinks Sir Keir Starmer is likely to learn from some of the criticism he has faced around accepting donor-funded clothing.#Newsnight pic.twitter.com/Sp2YSUSvbG
— BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) September 19, 2024
In a Sky News podcast, Lady Harman suggested that Starmer should admit the misstep and perhaps auction the items for charity, rather than trying to justify them. She emphasised that Starmer is not a greedy individual but someone devoted to public service, and suggested he should acknowledge the mistake and outline how he would handle such situations differently in the future.
Despite the criticism, Starmer remains firm, especially regarding his support for Arsenal. A long-time season ticket holder, he has recently accepted invitations to watch matches from corporate boxes due to security concerns. He told the BBC that he prefers the stands but opts for the boxes to avoid burdening taxpayers with additional security costs.
When questioned by ITV about being perceived as “Parliament’s king of the freebies,” Starmer defended his actions, suggesting that most people would find his arguments reasonable once they understood the context.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds also defended Starmer, stating that attending major cultural and sporting events is part of the job, and that it is crucial for public figures to stay connected with such activities. Reynolds argued that receiving hospitality from businesses is not a job perk but a necessary part of engagement with decision-makers.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Sky News reports that Sir Keir Starmer is under scrutiny for £100,000-worth of gifts, with Baroness Harriet Harman criticizing his attempts to justify them, saying it’s making things worse. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why is Sir Keir Starmer under criticism for accepting gifts?
He’s accepted over £100,000 in gifts and hospitality, raising ethical concerns.
What did Baroness Harman say about Sir Keir Starmer’s response to the gift controversy?
She criticized him for ‘doubling down’ and suggested he admit a ‘misstep.’
How did Sir Keir Starmer justify using a corporate box at Arsenal games?
He claimed it was for security reasons and saved taxpayer money.
What gifts did Lord Alli give to Sir Keir Starmer and his wife?
Lord Alli gave clothing worth £16,200 and multiple pairs of glasses worth £2,485.
What is Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds’ stance on Sir Keir’s hospitality?
He said it’s part of the job and that public figures deserve leisure time.
