SHAKE IT OFF
Keir Starmer stumps up £6,000 to pay for freebies including Taylor Swift tickets – but that’s just 5% of £107k gifts
Gifts paid for by Sir Keir Starmer included Taylor Swift and Arsenal tickets
THE PM has paid for gifts worth more than £6,000 in a bid to salvage his reputation amid a growing scandal over freebies.
Sir Keir Starmer is covering the cost of Taylor Swift gig tickets, a day at the races and a clothing rental deal with a designer favoured by his wife.
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It accounts for just five per cent of the £107,145 in gifts, benefits and hospitality he received since December 2019.
It is understood he did not demand ministers return their gifts, which fall within the rules, but wanted to send a signal “from the top”.
Sir Keir also pledged to revamp the ministerial code, making any gifts and hospitality transparent and accountable.
He said it was “right” he repaid, saying: “We came in as a government of change, we are going to bring forward principles for donations.”
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The gifts include four Taylor Swift tickets from Universal Music Group totalling £2,800 and four tickets to St Leger Festival, Doncaster, at £1,939.
An £839 clothing rental deal with designer Edeline Lee, recently worn by his wife Lady Victoria to London Fashion Week, was also covered by the PM.
Meanwhile, Deputy PM Angela Rayner declared £836 in hospitality for a “visit to a DJ booth” after being seen partying in Ibiza.
The Tories said: “It appears Starmer will only be transparent when his back’s against the wall.”
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Labour probe donor peer
THE Labour peer at the heart of the party’s donations row is under investigation by a parliamentary watchdog, it was revealed yesterday.
Lord Alli faces a probe over “alleged non-registration of interests”. It is not believed to be related to his gifts to Labour MPs, including Sir Keir Starmer.
Labour said he will “cooperate fully with the Lords’ Commissioner and he’s confident all interests have been registered”.
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