Labour faces fresh criticism over the Government’s decision to suspend some arms licences to Israel (Image: Getty)
Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced earlier this month thatabout 30 arms licences out of around 350 would be suspended over a “clear risk” they could be used to commit a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
That decision followed a review carried out by the new government and after the previous administration concluded from its own analysis that there was no need to suspend or revoke any licences.
Mr Lammy’s decision sparked condemnation with critics claiming it had in fact nothing to do with humanitarian law and everything to do with appeasing a vocal, left-wing, pro-Hamas minority in the Labour Party.
Daniel Berke, Director for UK Lawyers for Israel, told GB News Labour is “bowing to the mob” at the expense of Israel and the protection of “Jewish rights”.
His criticism came amid a claim he had seen CCTV and drone footage shared by Israel Defence Forces (IDF) of Hamas gunmen “hijacking” trucks carrying food aid meant for civilians in Gaza.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the decision was ‘misguided’ (Image: Getty)
Shadow Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell criticised the timing of the announcement as it came after the deaths of six hostages snatched by Hamas gunmen in the October 7 attacks on southern Israel.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the Labour Government’s “shameful” decision, with his office saying the “misguided” decision will only embolden Hamas.
Meanwhile, hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered on Liverpool’s waterfront earl;ier today to coincide with the start of the Labour Party conference.
That takes place against a backdrop of rising tensions in the Middle East, with Israel having declared a new phase in its war after a series of exploding devices killed at least 37 people and maimed civilians in attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon, which have been pinned on Tel Aviv.
Sir Keir’s “biggest conference ever” will see Labour face renewed pressure over the Israel-Gaza war on top of mounting unease over the Prime Minister and his wife Lady Victoria Starmer’s acceptance of lavish gifts from a wealthy donor even as millions of pensioners saw their winter fuel payment cut.
Rachel Reeves, Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner aren’t taking donations of clothing now (Image: Getty)
Sir Keir, his deputy Angela Rayner and Chancellor Rachel Reeves have said they won’t be accepting further donations of clothes in a bid to put an end to the criticism.
But the Prime Minister is also struggling to get a grip on rows inside No 10 after reports of tensions between his Chief of Staff Sue Gray and senior officials.
A leaked disclosure showed Ms Gray is paid £170,000, some £3,000 more than the Prime Minister, added to the rumours of behind-the-scenes difficulties in Downing Street.
Before the conference, Sir Keir claimed he was “completely in control” and every day the message from him to his team is they “have to deliver”.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy on Saturday defended Sir Keir, saying it was important to demonstrate the Government’s priorities are “the country’s priorities”.
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Keir Starmer insists ‘I don’t need any new specs for a long time’ after freebies row
Sir Keir Starmer has said he doesn’t “need any new specs for a long time” after his premiership was rocked by a damaging row over donations and freebies.
Sir Keir Starmer and senior Labour colleagues have faced criticised over donations (Image: PA )
Sir Keir, 62, and fellow Cabinet Ministers Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves, have been engulfed by a furious public debate over whether or not they should have accepted in some cases thousands of pounds worth of clothes as gifts.
In the Prime Minister’s case, the wardrobe perks also extended to multiple pairs of glasses and dresses for his wife Victoria, all donated by prominent Labour supporter Lord Alli.
Sir Keir also came under pressure for his acceptance of corporate hospitality to watch his beloved Arsenal FC, which he defended by saying he can’t use his previous seats at the Premiership football club because of security concerns.
Since December 2019, Sir Keir has accepted £107,145 worth of gifts, benefits, and hospitality – a category listed in Parliament’s register of MPs’ interests.
Sir Keir Starmer received a pair of glasses as part of a raft of donations (Image: PA )
Sir Keir, along with Ms Rayner and the Chancellor, have all said they will no longer accept clothing donations, but speaking to The Guardian the Prime Minister refused to back down on some of things he’s accepted.
He told the paper: “Well look, I mean, am I going to now say I won’t go to another Arsenal game? Then, no.”
But when asked about any more pairs of designer spectacles he revealed: “I don’t need any new specs for a long time.”
During the election campaign, Sir Keir declared £12,588 in gifts ranging from four Taylor Swift tickets worth £4,000, to Euros final tickets valued at £1,628, and several Arsenal match tickets exceeding £6,000 in total.
It has also emerged that the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, Sue Gray, is being paid £3,000 more than him, with a wage of £170,000.
Life-long Labour support Lord Alli has made a number of donations to the PM (Image: PA )
Speaking to Sky News, Conservative leadership hopeful James Cleverly said: “What we have got to recognise is Keir Starmer and Sue Gray (his chief of staff) have been very, very critical of Conservatives over exactly this – now if your position is that, well, ‘these things happen’ and we should be thoughtful and flexible in our response, that’s fine.
“But if, like Keir Starmer, you have been really aggressive in your criticism of Conservatives for this, then you’ve got to make sure that you are totally above reproach, and he’s failed to do that.
“So I think it’s absolutely legitimate that we point out the hypocrisy of someone who basically got his job by criticising others for what he’s now doing.”
