The Prime Minister insisted there was a “massive difference between declarations and corruption” as he faced questions over his alleged failure to register high-end clothing given to Lady Starmer by the prominent party donor on time. Speaking to journalists travelling with him on his visit to Rome, Sir Keir dismissed the idea that taxpayers should fund such expenses for prime ministers and their spouses, but suggested it would be “pushing it a bit far” to deny him the right to accept certain kinds of hospitality. Giving the example of football tickets, which the Prime Minister is known to accept as gifts, he said: “I’m a massive Arsenal fan.
I can’t go into the stands because of security reasons. Therefore, if I don’t accept a gift of hospitality, I can’t go to a game. You could say, ‘well, bad luck’.
That’s why gifts have to be registered. “But, you know, never going to an Arsenal game again because I can’t accept hospitality is pushing it a bit far.” It comes amid a row over Sir Keir’s alleged breach of parliamentary rules by failing to declare donations of clothing for his wife, Lady Starmer, within the designated time limit.
The Tories have demanded a full investigation into the Starmers’ links with Lord Alli and said the acceptance of luxury gifts “beggars belief” in the wake of the Labour Government’s decision to strip all but the country’s poorest pensioners of the winter fuel payment. The Sunday Times reported the donations co.