18 September 2024 , 20:28
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The Prime Minister has received more gifts and freebies than any other MP since he became Labour leader, it’s been revealed.
A Sky News investigation found Sir Keir Starmer received two-and-a-half times more gifts and hospitality than the MP in second place, according to their research which tracks how money flows through the UK political system.
Since he became leader of the Labour party in December 2019, he has received £107,145 in gifts, benefits and hospitality – one of the categories in the parliamentary register of MP interests.
The MP in second place is Commons leader Lucy Powell, who received just over £40,289 worth of freebies, followed by Tory Greg Smith in third place who received £32,509 worth of gifts.
One member of the government called the situation ‘nuts’ and said the freebies ‘should be banned’.
And concerns have been raised that Starmer could be opening himself up to inappropriate lobbying if he keeps accepting football tickets and hospitality from Arsenal.
The Premier League, which is lobbying against a football regulator at the moment, is one of the biggest donors of hospitality. Starmer has received almost £40,000 in tickets overall since December 2019.
The PM defended his right to continue to take football freebies earlier this week, saying: ‘If I don’t accept a gift of hospitality, I can’t go to a game.
‘Never going to an Arsenal game again because I can’t accept hospitality is pushing it a bit far.’
Keir Starmer’s gifts declared since December 2019
- Lord Waheed Alli – £39,122
- The Football Association Premier League – £12,588
- Crownhawk Properties – £4,500
- The Jockey Club – £3,176
- Tottenham Hotspur Football & Athletic Co – £3,033
- Arena Racing Corporation – £3,024
- Morgan’s Hotel Ltd – £3,000
- Crystal Palace Football Club – £2,862
- Trust Reservations – £2,774
- Manchester United Football Club – £2,690
- Cain International UK Services Ltd – £2,400
- West Ham Football Club – £2,000
- Swansea City AFC – £2,000
- Saracens Ltd – £1,800
- Global Media and Entertainment Ltd – £1,800
- Jonathan Goldstein – £1,650
- Getir UK – £1,600
- The Football Association – £1,580
- Tim Benson – £1,500
- Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club – £1,488
- Watford Football Club – £1,416
- Arsenal Football Club – £1,080
- Teescraft Engineering Ltd – £1,000
- Matthew Moulding – £937
- Norwich City Football Club – £820
- Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo – £773
- All England Lawn Tennis Club – £740
- Just Eat – £714
- Mulalley & Co Ltd – £700
- SJM Concerts – £698
- The Rugby Football League – £618
- Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club – £500
- The Royal Parks Ltd – £479
- Commonwealth Games Federation – £450
- Practico Ltd – £385
- National Theatre – £358
- Edwyn Collins – £350
Most of Starmer’s gifts and hospitality – £86,708 of the £107,145 – were accepted in the last parliament, but £20,437 was declared in this parliament for accommodation that straddles the two periods, the Sky News analysis shows.
The biggest donor of gifts and hospitality is Labour peer Waheed Alli, who gave the equivalent of £39,122.
These donations included an unspecified donation of accommodation worth £20,437, ‘work clothing’ worth £16,200, and multiple pairs of glasses equivalent to £2,485.
Sky News asked Number 10 whether football donations were a conflict of interest and about the pre-election discussions about the appropriateness of accepting hospitality.
They also asked for comment on the fact Starmer is top of the table for gifts and hospitality, excluding legal donations.
They did not comment.