Labour Donor Lord Alli Apologizes After Breaching Parliamentary Rules Amid Donation Controversy

Watchdog Determines Labour Donor Lord Alli Violated Parliamentary Regulations

Lord Alli faced criticism for providing Labour MPs with donations that included clothing, vacations, and event sponsorships.

Political journalist @alixculbertson

Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 1:

A standards watchdog has determined that Labour donor Lord Alli violated four parliamentary regulations regarding his disclosure of interests.

Sir Keir Starmer's main financial supporter was discovered to have omitted listing all of his positions in a charity, neglected to disclose his controlling stake in a media company, and failed to timely register his directorship in a company based in the British Virgin Islands.

This does not pertain to inquiries about his financial contributions to political figures like the prime minister and other government officials.

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Standards Commissioner Martin Jelley described the infractions as "minor."

Television executive Lord Alli, who has donated over £700,000 to the Labour Party in the last two decades, was advised to send a letter of apology to the head of the Lords' conduct committee, Baroness Manningham-Buller.

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In his letter, he stated: "I am reaching out to express my apologies for failing to properly register my interests.

"I will strive to adhere to the Code of Conduct consistently to prevent such situations in the future."

The initial violation involved Lord Alli failing to register his roles as an unpaid director of The Charlie Parsons Foundation and as a trustee.

In 2011, he collaborated with Charlie Parsons, the creator of the Survivor reality TV series, to launch a charity focused on supporting "new talent, new projects, and new business ideas," primarily within the television and entertainment sector.

In the second violation identified, Lord Alli prematurely ceased to be listed as a "person with significant control" over Silvergate BP Bidco Limited, the company responsible for producing the Peter Rabbit TV show.

He also withdrew his statement early, which claimed he held a "shareholding that constituted a controlling interest" in the company.

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The final violation involved a delayed disclosure of Lord Alli's position as an unpaid director for MAC (BVI) Limited, a subsidiary located in the offshore jurisdiction of the British Virgin Islands, belonging to 450 PLC, an investment entity headquartered in the tax haven of Jersey, where Lord Alli had acknowledged his role as chairman.

Lord Alli previously stated that the oversight was an "accidental mistake" and he "was unaware" until journalists questioned him in September.

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In September, the noble faced criticism for the substantial sums he donated to Labour MPs, which were used for apparel, vacations, and work-related functions.

Sky News' Westminster Accounts project revealed that he provided Sir Keir with gifts and hospitality worth over £39,000 during the previous parliament session.

Throughout this year, the prime minister has been given work attire and multiple pairs of spectacles valued at close to £19,000 from Lord Alli, in addition to receiving accommodation worth £20,000.

Sir Keir arranged for his son to prepare for his GCSEs at the former TV executive’s central London apartment to ensure a peaceful study environment, away from the media frenzy at their family residence during the general election.

The Prime Minister, alongside Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, have announced they will cease accepting donations for clothing purchases in response to recent criticism.

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