The prime minister has said it is “very important… that the rules are followed” after becoming embroiled in a row about a donor paying for his wife’s clothes.
Sir Keir Starmer is facing an investigation over a possible breach of parliamentary rules after failing to declare that his biggest personal donor, Lord Alli, paid for a personal shopper, clothes and alterations for Lady Victoria Starmer.
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Sir Keir Starmer and Lady Victoria Starmer have both had clothes paid for by Lord Alli. Pic: PA
A Number 10 spokesperson told Sky News it was an oversight that had been corrected after it “sought advice from the authorities on coming to office”.
But it raised further questions over whether Sir Keir and his wife needed to have clothes donated to them when the prime minister’s annual salary is around £160,000.
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This year alone, Sir Keir has received – and disclosed – nearly £19,000 worth of work clothes and several pairs of glasses from Lord Alli, the former chairman of online fashion retailer Asos, The Times reported.
In addition, the peer, whose personal wealth is estimated at £200m, spent £20,000 on accommodation for the now prime minister during the election and a similar sum on “private office” costs, which was also disclosed, the paper said.
MPs are required to register gifts and donations within 28 days of receiving them, but it is understood the donations for Lady Victoria’s clothes were submitted late.
Asked about the row while on a trip to Rome, the prime minister said: “It’s very important to me that the rules are followed. I’ve always said that. I said that before the election. I reinforced it after the election.
“And that’s why shortly after the election, my team reached out for advice on what declarations should be made so it’s in accordance with the rules.
“They then sought out for further advice more recently, as a result of which they’ve made the relevant declarations.”
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Sir Keir added: “For me, it’s really important that the rules are followed.
“That’s why I was very pleased my team reached out proactively, not once, but twice, because it is very important that we have transparency, very important that you and others can see the rules are being followed.”