Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson took £14,000 from Labour peer Waheed Alli in the run-up to her 40th birthday last year – which she has admitted was spent on parties with lobbyists. Speaking on Sky News on Sunday morning, the senior Labour figure was confronted about the donations, which she recorded in her register of interests. While the sums were set out in the public domain, the only reasons given for the donations were “to host a number of events, including on behalf of the shadow education team”.
Now she has revealed the money was used to put on parties. Bridget Phillipson is asked why Lord Alli gave her £14,000. She explains part of it was used to fund a birthday party for her 40th where she invited colleagues and journalists.
#trevorphillips pic.twitter.com/UhTWimhkfE Phillipson said: “I received that money from Waheed Alli, who’s a longstanding Labour peer.
It was used to fund two events, all of which was declared properly and thoroughly, that’s why that information is in the public domain. “The first event was ahead of my birthday, so I was turning 40, I thought it was a good opportunity to get people together in a professional context, so it was journalists, trade unionists, education people, MPs and shadow cabinet. The second event was an event that I held, also again for lobby journalists, for people in the education world, as part of a reception.
It was in a work context.” READ MORE: John Swinney says his 'jaw dropped' over Keir Starmer d.