A lot of people will be aware of the rules around gifts to MPs right now thanks to the coverage of Labour’s Cronygate scandal. They state:
“Members must register any gifts or benefits with a value of over £300 which they receive from a source outside the UK. They must also register multiple benefits from the same source if taken together these have a value of more than £300 in a calendar year.”
That includes “hospitality in the UK, including receptions, meals and accommodation.” Starmer used Lord Alli’s £18 million penthouse to produce a political message in 2021. That does not appear on the register of financial interests during the period.
It does appear for recent similar use of the penthouse this year: “Accommodation, value £20,437.28.” Why did Starmer not declare his previous use of the property?
Starmer’s team have made changes to the register this year following “advice” sought from authorities. They said they “believed we had been compliant, however, following further interrogation this month, we have declared further items.” If they want to clarify this, they had better do it fast…
Lucy Powell on LBC, asked by Tom Swarbrick for her reaction to Labour MP Samantha Niblett’s call for a ‘summer of sex’ debate in Parliament: “I personally don’t own any sex toys, but each to their own… I’m not really sure that’s the right place for it, no.”