Keir Starmer brutally torn apart in clothes donation row as he’s accused of rank hypocrisy
Sir Keir has been ‘hoist on his own petard’ amid a new donations row threatening to engulf the Prime Minister.
Sir Keir is under immense fire over the row (Image: Getty)
Yesterday it emerged that the PM is now facing a standards investigation after failing to declare donations of clothing for his wife Victoria Starmer.
Lord Alli, a prominent Labour donor, bought more than £5,000 worth of high-end clobber for Mrs Starmer in the past four months.
The donations, which were undeclared by Sir Keir, appear to breach Parliamentary rules and have sparked an official probe.
Yesterday Foreign Secretary David Lammy compounded outrage at the revelations, defending the donations because Sir Keir and his wife want to “look their best for the British people”.
The minister added: “The truth is that successive prime ministers — unless you’re a billionaire like the last one — do rely on political donations so they can look their best both in the hope of representing the country if you are in the opposition or indeed as prime minister”.
“I’m not suggesting the prime minister is broke. Successive prime ministers want to look their best — and their partners — for the country.”
Outrage at the story has grown over the past 24 hours, with prominent figures trying to wrap their heads around why Sir Keir’s wife needs thousands in clothes donations.
Top journalist Isabel Oakeshott questioned: “What in the name of God was Starmer thinking accepting free clothes for himself and his wife from a rich party donor?”
“Being that stupid should be an immediate disqualification for leading our country.”
Michael Walsh pointed out the contrast between Sir Keir and his wife living in luxury while taking away pensioners’ winter fuel payments.
Mr Walsh tweeted: “If you’re out here defending Keir Starmer Freezing your Nan & Raising everyone’s Household bills, as ‘Necessary’, while also claiming Starmer can’t afford to buy his own clothes in a near £200,000 a year Job, I’d say you have your head fully up your a**e.”
Sarah Vine agreed: “What’s Lady Starmer wearing, couture Chanel? Meanwhile, pensioners freeze…”
Left-wing journalist Aaron Bastani responded to David Lammy’s defence: “This is ridiculous. Starmer and his wife are millionaires. He’s a Sir, and was one of the country’s top lawyers before entering politics. He has lots of money.”
“Why does he need clothes…bought for him? It’s just bizarre more than anything.”
This morning former Prime Minister Liz Truss quipped: “I thought Starmer was inspired by 1984 but now it seems it’s Animal Farm too.”
While Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf said: “Starmer has a donor buy his wife designer clothes and fails to declare it.”
“He then persecutes his political enemies, weaponises the justice system and robs our pensioners to pay his union chums.
He warned: “Britain is fast becoming a banana republic.”
Right-wing commentator, Chris Rose accused Sir Keir of hypocrisy, digging up a clip of the Labour leader grilling Boris Johnson at PMQs when it emerged the then-PM and his wife had accepted a large sum from a Tory donor to renovate the No. 10 flat.
Sir Keir accused Mr Johnson of failing to answer questions, telling the Commons: “The PM will be aware he is required to declare any benefits that relate to his political activities including loans or credit arrangements within 28 days. He will also know that any donation must be recorded in the register of ministers’ interests, and that under the law any donation of £500 to a political party must be registered and declared.”
“So the rules are very clear!”
Mr Rose observed: “It’s fascinating that Labour MPs set high standards for transparency, honesty and integrity which they themselves don’t even attempt to follow.”
“Hoist with his own petard so quickly after a GE.”
A No 10 spokeswoman said: “We sought advice from the authorities on coming to office.
“We believed we had been compliant, however, following further interrogation this month, we have declared further items.”
