Keir Starmer defends taking freebies and hints he will continue accepting lavish gifts from wealthy Labour peer despite the PM and his wife Victoria being embroiled in 'wardrobegate' row By Greg Heffer, Political Correspondent For Mailonline Published: 14:15 EDT, 16 September 2024 | Updated: 14:16 EDT, 16 September 2024 e-mail 22 View comments Sir Keir Starmer has defended taking freebies as he hinted he would continue accepting lavish gifts - such as high-end clothing - from Labour peer Lord Alli. The Prime Minister and his wife, Victoria, are embroiled in a 'wardrobegate' row after he allegedly broke rules by failing to declare donations on time. The Tories have demanded a probe by Parliament's watchdog into the Starmers' links with Lord Alli.
They said the couple's acceptance of luxury gifts 'beggars belief' in the wake of the Government's decision to strip millions of pensioners of winter fuel payments. The row is embarrassing for Sir Keir, who was once dubbed 'Mr Rules', following his fierce criticism of Tory 'sleaze' under the last government. It has also led to questions over why the PM, who had a stellar legal career before entering politics, seemingly could not pay for clothes despite earning £166,000 a year as premier.
But Sir Keir signalled he would continue taking gifts from Lord Alli despite a growing backlash. The PM insisted there was a 'massive difference between declarations and corruption' as he faced questions over his alleged failure to register clothing .