U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has come under fire for accepting donations in the form of clothes and other gifts from a wealthy businessman, sparking concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Starmer, who pledged to restore trust in politics, has denied any wrongdoing regarding the thousands of pounds worth of clothes and eyeglasses paid for by a longtime donor to the Labour Party.
Additionally, Starmer's chief of staff, Sue Gray, has drawn attention for her annual salary of 170,000 pounds, which is higher than the prime minister's salary. Gray, known for leading an investigation into lockdown-breaching parties during the COVID-19 pandemic, has faced accusations of political bias from the Conservatives due to her past findings.
Despite facing criticism, Starmer maintains that he follows the rules and has attributed the delay in declaring donations to seeking advice from his staff. He has emphasized his commitment to delivering change and dismissed claims of dissent among his team.
The scale of freebies accepted by Starmer and his wife, including tickets for Premier League games, has raised eyebrows among supporters and critics alike. Following the controversy, the Labour Party announced that Starmer will no longer accept free outfits.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner defended the practice of accepting donations, highlighting the long-standing tradition in politics and the importance of transparency. Rayner acknowledged public concerns but emphasized the need for clarity regarding donations and gifts.
As the Labour Party kicks off its annual conference, party leaders are hopeful that the event will boost morale and refocus attention on their policy agenda.
