Standards watchdog set to look into claims against peer who funded donations to PM, Sir Keir Starmer.
Labour peer Lord Waheed Alli is under investigation by the House of Lords commissioner for standards over allegations of failing to register interests, potentially breaching parliamentary rules on transparency and accountability.
The inquiry comes as Lord Alli, a former TV executive and significant donor to the Labour Party, is embroiled in a donations row involving Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Lord Alli has contributed over £700,000 to Labour, including financial support for accommodation and gifts for Sir Keir and his family.
The investigation, published on Tuesday, concerns alleged breaches of the members’ code of conduct, which requires peers to register their interests. While there is no suggestion that the prime minister or other members of his Cabinet broke any rules in accepting these gifts, the scrutiny has drawn significant public and media attention.
Gifts and Hospitality
Lord Alli provided financial support for clothes and other gifts for the prime minister and his wife, Lady Victoria Starmer, and facilitated the use of his £18 million penthouse in central London. This included hosting Sir Keir’s family during the election campaign and providing accommodation so that the prime minister’s son could study for his GCSEs away from media attention.
Sir Keir also recorded a broadcast from the penthouse during the Covid-19 pandemic, urging the public to work from home. The broadcast aired on the same day new guidance was issued encouraging remote work. Labour sources have maintained that all Covid guidelines were followed, and no rules were broken.
Lord Alli also gave money to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to fund a reception for her 40th birthday, adding to the long list of donations amounting to over £700,000 since Sir Keir’s leadership campaign in 2020.
Prime Minister Repays Donations
Downing Street recently announced that Sir Keir had repaid over £6,000 worth of gifts and hospitality that he and his wife received from wealthy donors, including Lord Alli. This amount covers six Taylor Swift concert tickets, tickets to the races, and a rental agreement for a high-end designer outfit for Lady Victoria Starmer.
Despite the repayment, the donations have sparked criticism, particularly in light of accusations of “sleaze” within the Labour Party. Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield recently quit the party, accusing Sir Keir of overseeing “sleaze, nepotism, and apparent avarice.
Labour’s Response
The prime minister has moved to address the growing criticism by announcing plans to tighten up rules on declaring donations and gifts. Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, described the current regulations as a “Tory loophole” intended to protect previous Conservative ministers.
The investigation into Lord Alli marks a critical moment for the Labour Party as it attempts to address concerns about transparency and propriety among its members. While the probe continues, the public is left to ponder the implications for the party’s leadership and standards.
Lord Alli, a prominent figure in the Labour Party, has played a key role in supporting the prime minister and other cabinet members, bu
