Starmer is being investigated for possible breach of parliamentary rules after Labour donor ‘paid for his wife’s clothes’ | Politics News

Sir Keir Starmer is being investigated for a possible breach of parliamentary rules because he failed to disclose that some of his wife's high-quality clothes were bought for her by his biggest personal donor, Lord Alli.

The Labour peer paid for a personal shopper, clothing and alterations for Lady Victoria Starmer, reportedly both before and after the Labour leader was appointed Prime Minister in July, according to The Sunday Times.

This year, Sir Keir has received and disclosed work clothes and several pairs of glasses worth almost £19,000 from Lord Alli, the former chief executive of online fashion retailer Asos, The Times reports.

In addition, the peer, whose personal wealth is estimated at £200 million, spent £20,000 on the current prime minister's accommodation during the election campaign and a similar amount on the costs of his “private office”, which were also disclosed, the newspaper said.

A Labour Party spokesman told Sky News it was an oversight that had been corrected after “advice was sought from the authorities when we took office”. He added: “We thought we had complied with the regulations but following further consultation this month we have disclosed further issues.”

The Tories called for a “full investigation” following the Sunday Times report.

A Conservative Party spokesman said: “It took just ten weeks for Keir Starmer to be investigated for his conduct.”

“After being confronted with allegations of nepotism and now obvious serious violations of parliamentary rules of procedure, the glasses pass scandal must be fully investigated.

“Given Labour's cruel cuts, the millions of vulnerable pensioners across the country who have to choose between heating and food would no doubt jump at the chance of free clothes just to keep warm.”

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Lord Alli's working relationship with the Labour leader had already proved controversial after it emerged that he had been given a security pass for Downing Street without apparently holding any government position.

For the Prime Minister, who had promised to become cleaner in politics, the revelations are an unpleasant matter.

Sir Keir, like all MPs, must declare his relevant interests under rules designed to protect policy from undue influence and maintain transparency.

The Times reported that the Prime Minister's Office contacted parliamentary authorities last Tuesday to provide the delayed explanations.

His advisers had already been in touch by this point after several designers approached Lady Starmer and asked if she would be interested in free products such as clothing, jewellery and make-up.

Staff had asked whether the Prime Minister would have to explain his wife's receipt of these items if she accepted the offer and were told that he would do so.

This led his team to question whether Lord Alli's previous gifts should also have been declared on the same basis and it was decided that they did.

They then wrote to the authorities asking them to update the Prime Minister's register of interests, which is due to be published next month. Lady Starmer has independently declined to accept the designers' offers.