Cabinet ministers don’t need to repay gifts, Sir Keir Starmer says

Senior ministers do not need to follow the Prime Minister’s example and repay post-election freebies and gifts, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

The Prime Minister said it was his “personal decision” to repay some £6,000 worth of donations and gifts he had received since coming to power, so he could be in accordance with “new principles” the Government plans to draw up.

A row over donations has engulfed Sir Keir’s top team in recent weeks around the acceptance of lavish gifts, which have included clothing and free tickets.

Labour’s political opponents have criticised these actions in the light of ongoing cost-of-living pressures.

Angela Rayner, Rachel Reeves and Sir Keir have all vowed not to take donations of clothing in future, and the Prime Minister announced this week he would repay the costs of some gifts he received.

Asked if Cabinet ministers should follow his lead during a visit to a Cheshire glass-making factory, Sir Keir told reporters: “No. I mean look, we are going to draw up some principles so that everyone can see the basis on which donations et cetera are being accepted.

“We are working on that. Until they are drawn up I decided to repay so that any future activities, of me or anybody else, are in accordance with whatever the new principles are.

“That is my personal decision, I am not saying others should do the same.”

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband had earlier suggested Labour should not offer companies meetings with ministers in return for cash in future.

It came after reports a Labour Party commercial team had offered company chiefs a chance to “gain insight” with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds in exchange for £30,000.

Mr Reynolds was unaware of the meeting – which was first reported by The Sun newspaper – had not agreed to it, nor will he be attending it.

Political parties often organise events alongside business leaders, including the Conservatives, who held a business day at their party conference this week.

But the Labour meeting comes amid the backdrop of the row over donations.

When asked what his message to Labour officials was following the incident, Mr Miliband said: “Don’t do it again is my message.”

He also told ITV’s Good Morning Britain ministers were not interested in having businesses pay for access to them.

“The answer is – whether it is me or Jonathan Reynolds – it is not about paying to have access. That is not what we are about, no,” he said.