Keir Starmer tells Brussels press conference it was ‘right’ for him to repay £6,000 worth of gifts

paid back more than £6,000 worth of gifts and hospitality he received since entering Number 10 after a row over ministerial donations.

The Labour peer Waheed Alli is under investigation by a parliamentary watchdog over a potential breach of the code of conduct. Alli is being investigated after a complaint that he has not registered his interests correctly. He has been thrust into the spotlight recently over tens of thousands of pounds worth of gifts he gave to Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner.

Starmer pledged that the UK and European Union would work to strengthen co-operation on the economy and security, as well as to “make Brexit work” after meeting with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.

The four Conservative leadership candidates set out their visions for the party – consensus from the commentariat was that James Cleverly came out strongest.

We’ll be back tomorrow with all the latest happenings in Westminster.

Waheed Alli is under investigation by a parliamentary watchdog over a potential breach of the code of conduct, a Labour spokesperson has said:

Lord Alli will co-operate fully with the Lords Commissioner and he is confident all interests have been registered.

We cannot comment further while this is ongoing.

Waheed Alli declared by MPs that appear in the latest version of the register of members’ financial interests, which was published on September 2 2024.

The latest register includes all donations and gifts declared in the previous 12 months.

1. Donations

19 October 2023: £10,000 to Sir Keir Starmer (Labour)
Description in register: “For the private office of the Leader of the Opposition.”
7 November 7 2023: £12,500 to David Lammy (Labour)
“Towards paying for additional staff for my office.”
16 November 2023: £8,500 to Angela Rayner (Labour)
“Donation to support me in my capacity as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.”
8 December 8 2023: £10,000 to Bridget Phillipson (Labour)
“To host a number of events, including on behalf of the Shadow Education Team.”
11 December 2023: £4,000 to Bridget Phillipson
“To host a number of events, including on behalf of the Shadow Education Team.”
26 February 2024: £6,000 to Sir Keir Starmer
“For the private office of the Leader of the Opposition.”
15 April 2024: £8,250 to Angela Rayner
“To support me in my capacity as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.”
26 April 2024: £900 to Angela Rayner
“To support me in my capacity as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.”
29 July 2024: £3,550 to Angela Rayner
“Donation in kind for undertaking parliamentary duties.”
2 August 2024: £10,000 to Liam Conlon (Labour)

2. Gifts

22 March 2023 (published in register on December 3 2023): £1,200,000 to Dame Siobhain McDonagh (Labour)
“Interest free loan to be repaid on the sale of the home I share with a family member. The move was necessary to provide the family member with complete ground floor access.”
24 April 2024: £16,200 to Sir Keir Starmer
Work clothing
22 May 2024: £2,485 to Sir Keir Starmer
Multiple pairs of glasses
2 August 2024: £20,437.28 to Sir Keir Starmer
Accommodation

Sir Keir Starmer has paid back more than £6,000 worth of gifts and hospitality he received since entering Number 10 after a row over ministerial donations.

The Prime Minister is covering the cost of six Taylor Swift tickets, four to the races and a clothing rental agreement with a high-end designer favoured by his wife, Lady Victoria Starmer.

It comes after Sir Keir and other Cabinet members – who vowed to “clean up” British politics – faced weeks of criticism for accepting tens of thousands of pounds worth of freebies from wealthy donors.

The Prime Minister has committed to overhauling hospitality rules for ministers to ensure better transparency about what is provided following the backlash.

On Wednesday, a Downing Street spokesperson said:

The Prime Minister has commissioned a new set of principles on gifts and hospitality to be published as part of the updated ministerial code.

Ahead of the publication of the new code, the Prime Minister has paid for several entries on his own register. This will appear in the next register of members’ interests.

Gifts paid for by Sir Keir include four Taylor Swift tickets from Universal Music Group totalling £2,800, two from the Football Association at a cost of £598, and four to Doncaster Races from Arena Racing Corporation at £1,939.

An £839 clothing rental agreement with Edeline Lee, the designer recently worn by his wife to London Fashion Week, along with one hour of hair and makeup, was also covered by the Prime Minister.