The Prime Minister has been branded a “career freeloader” following revelations that he amassed nearly £250,000 in travel expenses during his tenure as head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The expense total, which more than triples that of his successor, has sparked public criticism.

The travel expenses reportedly included spending over £42,500 of taxpayers’ money on business class flights around the world. Trips to Washington alone totaled almost £20,000, with one single flight costing more than £7,000. Further travels to destinations such as Hong Kong, Bangkok, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Ghana, and Sierra Leone accumulated more than £20,000.

During Sir Keir Starmer’s five-year stint as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), he spent £236,485 of public funds on flights, hotel stays, meals, and chauffeur-driven cars, according to figures obtained via a Freedom of Information request. Within his first two months in the role, he reportedly spent £23,000 on freebies.

These expenses were in addition to his near £200,000 salary and £336,000 in pension benefits accrued over his five-year tenure. By contrast, his successor Alison Saunders, who served as DPP from 2013 to 2018, spent just £67,000 on travel expenses.

The news comes after it was revealed that Sir Keir had received more freebies than any other MP since becoming Labour leader, including gifts worth £107,145 since December 2019. Former Tory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith remarked that it “would appear he’s a career freeloader.

The expenses have raised questions about public spending and accountability, with critics arguing that such costs are excessive given the current economic climate.

More from: Keir Starmer