The Tories have said the the acceptance of luxury gifts “beggars belief” Labour figures have defended Sir Keir Starmer being given free tickets to Arsenal matches and a Taylor Swift concert, with a cabinet member saying it “wouldn’t be right” to compare cuts to winter fuel payments with gifts given to the Prime Minister. It comes amid a row over Sir Keir’s alleged breach of parliamentary rules by failing to declare donations from peer Lord Alli of clothing for his wife, Lady Victoria Starmer, within a set time limit. The Tories have demanded a full investigation into the Starmers’ links with Lord Alli and said the acceptance of gifts “beggars belief”.
It comes in the wake of the decision to strip all but the country’s poorest pensioners of the winter fuel payment . The Sunday Times last week reported the donations covered the cost of a personal shopper, clothes and alterations for Lady Starmer both before and after Labour’s election win in July. MPs are required to register gifts and donations within 28 days.
Sir Keir, who supports Arsenal, has been given the use of a corporate box by the North London outfit, which is worth thousands of pounds. ITV News reported that he used it for the first game of this season. Labour’s Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds today defended the gifts and the Prime Minister’s use of the box at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium.
On ministers receiving gifts while cutting fuel allowance to pensioners, Mr Reynolds told Sky News: .