Lammy Defends Starmer: Donor-Supplied Wardrobe Not a Transparency Issue, Foreign Secretary Insists Amidst Investigation

Lammy asserts that donations for Sir Keir Starmer's wife's wardrobe are not about transparency

According to The Sunday Times, a member of the Labour Party funded a personal stylist, apparel, and tailoring for Lady Starmer, both prior to and following her husband's assumption of the prime minister role in July.

Sunday, September 15, 2024, 6:

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The foreign secretary has stated that the prime minister is making efforts to adhere to the regulations, and he asserted that the inquiry into a Labour donor purchasing apparel for his spouse does not raise concerns about transparency.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is under scrutiny for potentially violating parliamentary regulations. The issue arose after he did not report that a significant personal contributor, Lord Alli, had purchased luxury clothing for his wife.

According to The Sunday Times, the Labour peer covered the expenses for a personal shopper, clothing, and alterations for Lady Victoria Starmer, with these expenditures occurring both before and after her husband became the Labour leader and prime minister in July.

David Lammy supported Sir Keir during his appearance on Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips.

When questioned about the prime minister’s image following his vow to reform politics, Mr. Lammy stated, "This isn’t about lack of transparency. It's really about the prime minister attempting to adhere to the regulations."

When pressed on whether it was necessary for Sir Keir and his spouse to receive donated clothing given that the prime minister earns an annual salary of approximately £160,000, Mr. Lammy pointed out that there is "no budget" allocated for the prime minister's wardrobe in the UK, unlike in other nations like the US, where there is a "substantial budget" to ensure their leaders look presentable on the global stage.

He also stated: "Consequently, it has been common for successive opposition leaders aspiring to represent the nation internationally, as well as prime ministers, to utilize donor funds to support that budget."

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The Foreign Secretary stood up for the Labour benefactor, Lord Alli, who provided the funding for the presents given to Sir Keir and Lady Starmer.

Mr. Lammy characterized him as a self-made millionaire who has consistently supported and donated to the Labour Party under various leaders and prime ministers.

According to The Times, this year Sir Keir has accepted and reported receiving approximately £19,000 in professional attire and multiple pairs of eyeglasses from Lord Alli, who previously chaired the online fashion retailer Asos.

Furthermore, the peer, who has a personal fortune thought to be around £200 million, shelled out £20,000 on lodging for the current prime minister throughout the campaign, and an equivalent amount on expenses related to a "private office," according to the report in the newspaper.

A spokesperson from Number 10 informed Sky News that the issue was a mistake that had been rectified after consulting with officials upon assuming office.

They also stated, "We thought we had adhered to the rules, but after more in-depth investigations recently, we have reported additional items."

This narrative may leave a mark following a victory built on commitments to service and professionalism.

Political reporter

The previous two leaders who assumed office at 10 Downing Street vowed to introduce a higher standard of professionalism to the political arena.

In his inaugural address, Rishi Sunak expressed his desire for his administration to embody "integrity, professionalism, and accountability" throughout all its ranks. Two years following that, Sir Keir Starmer articulated his aspiration to rebuild trust in the political sphere, emphasizing that "to transform Britain, we must first reform ourselves – it's essential to purify politics."

Throughout the election campaign, Labour consistently positioned itself as the antithesis of the Conservative Party. Their central pledge was to reintegrate public service into the heart of government, even going so far as to dub their administration the "government of service."

This is likely why the story feels particularly painful.

This minor misstep hardly compares to the turmoil seen in the previous administration. It appears to be more of an oversight rather than intentional, yet it highlights the dangers of such high expectations for a government aiming to differentiate itself from its predecessor.

It carries the potential to cause harm.

Public confidence in politicians has plummeted to unprecedented lows, and many perceive a decline in the quality of public services. Consequently, when a politician commits to complete transparency and integrity, the public holds them to a standard of impeccable conduct.

On Sunday morning, following interviews where he stated that Vladimir Putin would not be able to intimidate the West into withdrawing its support for Ukraine, Mr. Lammy and Sir Keir attended the North London derby, watching the football game between Tottenham and Arsenal.

The foreign secretary shared on X: "The leader's squad triumphed unexpectedly this game, yet the season is still young."

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The Conservatives demanded a comprehensive inquiry following the report by The Sunday Times.

A spokesperson for the Conservative Party remarked: "In only 10 weeks, Keir Starmer has become the subject of a conduct investigation."

"In light of accusations of favoritism and now evident significant violations of legislative protocols, a comprehensive probe into the passes for glasses scandal is essential."

"Undoubtedly, the countless vulnerable elderly individuals nationwide, confronted with the harsh decision between warming their homes or feeding themselves, would eagerly embrace the offer of free clothing to stay warm amidst the harsh reductions imposed by Labour."

Discover more at Sky News: Davey advocates for taxing the wealthy while protecting retirees. No evaluation done on reductions to winter fuel allowances. Starmer emphasizes US-UK ties following a meeting at the White House.

Stay informed on the most recent developments both within the UK and globally by tuning into Sky News.

Lord Alli's association with the Labour leader has sparked controversy following revelations that he received a Downing Street security pass despite seemingly lacking an official government position.

Under regulations designed to safeguard the integrity of politics and ensure openness, Sir Keir, along with all other MPs, is required to disclose any interests that may be pertinent.

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