British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will no longer accept gifts of clothing, his office confirmed on Friday, following increased pressure from political rivals accusing him of hypocrisy.
Although the gifts were declared and complied with parliamentary rules, the controversy erupted as his government urged Britons to endure short-term financial “pain for long-term gain.”
Most notably, Labour’s plan to reduce winter fuel payments is set to leave millions of pensioners approximately £300 (nearly $400) worse off.
The measure has sparked widespread opposition, even from within his own centre-left party.
Starmer faced scrutiny after an investigation by Sky News and Tortoise Media revealed he had received over £100,000 in gifts and hospitality since December 2019, including football match invitations worth more than £40,000, concert tickets, accommodation, and clothing.
Labour donor Waheed Alli, a media entrepreneur and member of the House of Lords, gifted Starmer £16,200 worth of work-related clothing, as well as several pairs of spectacles.
Starmer also confirmed that his wife, Victoria, who recently attended London Fashion Week, had accepted £5,000 worth of clothing from Alli. This, however, was not listed in Starmer’s register of gifts.
Following days of mounting criticism, Downing Street announced Friday evening that Starmer, his deputy Angela Rayner, and finance minister Rachel Reeves would no longer accept gifted clothing.
The Financial Times reported that both Rayner and Reeves had also received such gifts.
Lawmaker Kemi Badenoch, a leadership contender for the opposition Conservatives, accused Starmer of “hypocrisy” over the matter.
