Baroness Harman Criticizes PM Starmer’s Justification of Free Gifts as Political Distractions Mount

Baroness Harriet Harman criticizes Keir Starmer's defense of accepting complimentary items, stating it exacerbates the situation. She suggests that instead of insisting on his entitlement to these perks, the Prime Minister should shift direction and eliminate any potential distractions.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Thursday, September 19, 2024, 3:

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Former Labour MP Harriet Harman has criticized Sir Keir Starmer's attempts to defend his acceptance of complimentary gifts, suggesting it only exacerbates the situation.

The baroness, who currently sits in the House of Lords and co-hosts the Electoral Dysfunction podcast on Sky News, described the controversy as inappropriate for the prime minister and advised him to alter his strategy instead of persisting with his current course.

Over the past week, Sir Keir has faced scrutiny for accepting gifts valued at over £100,000, including football match tickets, concert passes, and high-end clothing.

Despite adherence to the rules, some backbench MPs have raised concerns that the government's narrative of making tough economic choices clashes with the perception of a prime minister receiving perks.

Sir Keir and his supporters have offered multiple justifications for the current circumstances, yet Baroness Harman remarked that "intensifying efforts to defend it only exacerbates the issue."

The experienced Labour member said on the podcast: "You have two options: either stand firm and defend your actions, or admit it was likely a mistake. If I could go back, I wouldn't do it again. Therefore, I plan to organize a charity auction or something similar."

"While it's not a capital crime, I believe that intensifying efforts to defend it only exacerbates the situation.

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"He doesn't prioritize wealth or display greed. His commitment is to serving the public. Thus, this situation seems somewhat uncharacteristic for him. He will likely want to address it promptly."

The dispute began this past weekend, initially sparked by a scandal involving the attire of Sir Keir's spouse. The situation intensified after the Sky News' Westminster Accounts project disclosed that over the last five years, he has received more complimentary gifts and hospitality than any other Member of Parliament, totaling £107,145.

The Premier League ranks among the top benefactors when it comes to providing hospitality, and Sir Keir, a well-known supporter of Arsenal, has accumulated close to £40,000 in ticket gifts since December 2019.

The prime minister has justified his acceptance of gifts, stating that he is adhering to the existing regulations and that a solid system is established.

He explained that due to security concerns, he is unable to attend games in the regular seating area. Thus, he must accept hospitality offers if he wishes to see a match.

Supporters of the prime minister have attempted to minimize the significance of the matter, with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds stating on Sky News on Thursday that Sir Keir holds a demanding role and should be permitted to accept complimentary benefits.

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In a recent statement, Foreign Secretary David Lammy noted that unlike other nations, the UK does not allocate funds for the prime minister's wardrobe. He emphasized the importance of leaders presenting themselves well internationally.

Baroness Harman suggested that Sir Keir doesn't have to be overly remorseful; he simply needs to acknowledge that, looking back, he will change his approach and then shift his focus to issues that truly concern the public.

She continued, "Right now, he needs to focus solely on governmental duties and eliminate any possible distractions. There's no definitively correct or incorrect path. It ultimately comes down to a decision that he believes is warranted and that the citizens would appreciate."

Ruth Davidson, the ex-head of the Scottish Conservatives, intensified her critique, stating: "This isn't a case where he simply had someone purchase a suit for him before attending the G7, and his wife picked up a dress. It’s that he repeatedly did it over and over."

"He might not view himself as overly ambitious, nor does he wish to appear that way. However, it's the accumulation of actions, like layers of rock, that ultimately overshadow him. It's not a matter of a single incident."

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