How much has your MP claimed in freebies? Keir Starmer is given more perks than any other parliamentarian since the general election, damning figures reveal By Harriet Line Deputy Political Editor For The Daily Mail Published: 00:00, 19 September 2024 | Updated: 00:42, 19 September 2024 e-mail View comments Sir Keir Starmer has been given more freebies than any other MP since the 2019 general election , shocking data revealed last night. Sparking fresh anger amid the 'Wardrobegate' row , analysis showed the PM received two and a half times more gifts and hospitality than the next MP. Sir Keir was already being dubbed 'Sir Freebie' for accepting gifts and tickets worth more than £107,000 since December 2019.
But the true extent of the benefits to him has come with a league table, compiled by Sky News ' Westminster Accounts project. The next highest in the rankings below Sir Keir is Commons Leaders Lucy Powell on £40,289, according to the analysis that excludes those who received help with legal fees. Sir Keir Starmer, an avid Arsenal fan, accepted the most freebies of any MP since the general election, including football tickets One member of the Government branded the revelation 'nuts' and said freebies 'should be banned'.
Sir Keir was allegedly warned while in opposition by some of his senior team that his willingness to accept gifts could cause him political damage – but he ignored them and said it was within the rules. Read More EXCLUSIVE Keir Starmer 'WON'T use PM's official £20k allowance for clothes and living expenses' Some among the Labour ranks are said to be incandescent that the row over donations has dragged on for days – and they blame a lack of political grip on the Downing Street operation, heaping fresh pressure on chief of staff Sue Gray with private calls for her to be sacked. Officials are also said to be warning that the PM could be at risk of inappropriate lobbying by signalling he will continue to accept football tickets.
The Government is proposing the creation of a regulator with power to oversee clubs in England's top five leagues. It comes after it emerged that Sir Keir's growing list of donations now includes him being gifted the use of a corporate box by his beloved Arsenal football club, worth thousands of pounds per match. This has been provided for Sir Keir, his family and his protection officers.
Prices vary for boxes at the Emirates Stadium but they often cost more than £10,000 a game. Leader of the House of Commons Lucy Powell got the second most freebies, after the Prime Minister. She has claimed £40,289 in gifts since since the 2019 General Election Conservative MP Greg Smith (pictured) accepted £32,509 worth of gifts Karen Bradley MP accepted free gifts totaling £23,235 Sir John Whittingdale (pictured in his role as Minister for Media, Tourism and Creative Industries in July 2023) received £18,728 worth of freebies Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said yes to £17,905 worth of free gifts Dame Caroline Dinenage accepted gifts adding up to £16,993 since 2019 Ed Davey at the Liberal Democrat's conference on September 17.
The Lib Dem leader accepted a series of freebies since 2019 adding up to £16.591 Conservative MP Caroline Nokes accepted free gifts worth a total of £13,471 The Tories claimed last night it was 'clear the only people who won't suffer from Labour's damage to the country are the Starmers and Sir Freebie's top team'. A party source added: 'Whilst they're living a life of luxury at the expense of others, they're taking vital measures away from millions of pensioners.
Read More Keir Starmer urged to 'come clean' over who paid for dresses worn by wife Lady Victoria 'We hope Starmer will remember those choosing between heating and eating as he sits in his free box at the football.' The PM this week 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. But never going to an Arsenal game again because I can't accept hospitality is pushing it a bit far.' Sir Keir has previously declared thousands of pounds of gifts from clubs, including £2,500 of tickets and hospitality from Tottenham Hotspur for an Arsenal match.
The latest revelations follow details of gifts to his wife Victoria from Lord Alli. The Labour donor and former Asos boss has given Sir Keir suits and spectacles worth £18,000 as well as around £5,000 worth of high-end clothes to Lady Starmer . Keir Starmer walks with Lioness Fara Williams.
The Prime Minister has signalled that he will continue to accept football tickets Keir Starmer speaks to Prince George and Prince William at the Euro Final between Spain and England in Berlin Labour donor Lord Alli gifted Sir Keir suits and spectacles worth £18,000 as well as around £5,000 worth of high-end clothes to Lady Starmer Victoria Starmer (right) is often praised for her high-fashion looks The Labour peer also handed £14,000 to Bridget Phillipson, now Education Secretary, so she could 'host a number of events' – shortly before she staged a 40th birthday party. He also gave Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner the use of a flat in New York worth £1,250 at New Year. Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden defended Sir Keir, saying: 'This is not somebody who thinks that somehow the rules don't apply to them.
..He is a person of enormous integrity, and that will be reflected in the way that he operates.
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