Keir Starmer accused of breaking rules over gifts of clothes to wife Victoria (original) (raw)
Gifts of high end clothes, alterations and a personal shopper for Victoria Starmer from Labour donor Lord Alli, were not initially declared in the register of MPs' interests
Keir Starmer is facing a row over gifts of clothes for his wife Victoria
A top minister has argued Keir Starmer and his wife accepted donations of clothes to "look their best" after a row over late declaration of gifts for the PM's wife.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said there was no taxpayer-funded pot for the PM and his wife Victoria's wardrobes, unlike the United States where the President receives a generous expenses allowance. It comes as the PM was accused of breaking Parliament's rules for failing to declare donations of clothing, alterations and a personal shopper for his wife Victoria from Labour donor Lord Alli.
MPs are required to register gifts and donations within 28 days. The Sunday Times reported that the Prime Minister approached the parliamentary authorities on Tuesday to make a late declaration after being given updated advice.
A No10 spokeswoman said: "We sought advice from the authorities on coming to office. We believed we had been compliant, however, following further interrogation this month, we have declared further items."
Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria Starmer boarding a plane to the Nato summit in July (
Image:
PA)
Mr Lammy told the BBC: "The Prime Minister did declare funds that he received from Lord Alli, he's then gone back to the Parliamentary Commissioner to further check details on some of those funds that have made their way to his wife. So he has done that, and he is seeking to comply with the rules. So this is not an issue of transparency. He is attempting to be transparent."
He added: "I've just come back from the United States, where US presidents and first ladies have a huge budget paid for by the taxpayer so that they look their best on behalf of the US people. We don't have that system over here.
"The truth is that successive prime ministers, unless you're a billionaire like the last one, do rely on donations, political donations, so they can look their best, both in the hope of representing the country, if you're in the opposition, or indeed as Prime Minister."
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The US President receives a salary of around £305,000 ($400,000) and a £38,100 ($50,000) expenses allowance. There is no specific clothing budget.
It is unclear whether the PM will be investigated over the late declaration. The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner did not comment on Sunday.
Lord Alli's involvement with the Labour leader has already proved controversial after it emerged he had been given a Downing Street security pass without apparently having a government role. He has previously donated tens of thousands of pounds worth of clothing, glasses and accommodation to the Labour leader.
Mr Lammy defended Lord Alli, saying he was a "self-made millionaire that has been a supporter and a donor to the Labour Party over successive leaders and PMs". "There really isn't anything new," he told Sky News.
The Tories demanded a probe into the Starmers' links with Lord Alli. A Conservative spokesman said: "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."
Victoria, who has been married to the PM since 2007, has made it clear she wants to stay out of the limelight and continue working in the NHS while living in Downing Street.But she has been at the PM's side at a number of high profile events, such as a recent trip to the Nato summit in Washington.