Keir Starmer faces scrutiny over late gift declaration for wife

Sir Keir Starmer is under investigation for not declaring that his wife, Lady Victoria Starmer, received high-end clothing funded by his major donor, Lord Alli. The donations included a personal shopper, clothes, and alterations, which were provided both before and after Starmer assumed the role of prime minister in July. The situation has raised questions about transparency and adherence to parliamentary rules, prompting scrutiny from the Conservative Party. David Lammy, a Labour peer, defended Starmer, asserting that the issue is not a transparency concern. He emphasized that there is no official clothing budget for the prime minister, unlike in other countries, which often allocate substantial funds for such purposes. Lammy noted that previous leaders of the opposition have similarly relied on donor support for clothing. The Labour Party has disclosed nearly £19,000 worth of clothing and glasses received from Lord Alli this year. Additionally, the peer has contributed £20,000 for accommodation and similar amounts for private office expenses during the election campaign. Lord Alli, a self-made millionaire and long-time Labour supporter, has faced controversy over his close ties to Starmer. A spokesperson from Number 10 acknowledged that the failure to declare these gifts was an oversight, which has since been corrected. The Conservative Party has called for a thorough investigation into the matter, highlighting concerns about potential cronyism and breaches of parliamentary conduct, especially in light of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis affecting many citizens.