Sir Keir Starmer has been found to have breached the MPs’ code of conduct by failing to register on time eight interests, including gifts from football teams and the sale of a plot of land.
An inquiry into the Labour leader was opened in June by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Kathryn Stone, relating to claims about late declaration of earnings and gifts, benefits or hospitality from UK sources.
Speaking at the time, Sir Keir said he was “absolutely confident” he had not broken the MPs’ code of conduct.
The commissioner has now found that leader of the Opposition failed to register eight interests – five more than the ones alleged in the original complaint.
In the original complaint made to the commissioner, it was alleged that between March 6, 2022 and May 13 2022, Sir Keir had failed, on three occasions to register income and hospitality that he had accepted, within the 28-day deadline set by the House.
The watchdog undertook a review of Sir Keir’s register entry over the last 12 months and noted four additional late entries.
Sir Keir Starmer
PA
Among the items Sir Keir failed to declare on time included a £18,450 payment from publisher HarperCollins in April for a book he is writing.
The book is expected to set out his vision for Britain, with a publication date yet to be revealed.
Sir Keir received four tickets for the match between Arsenal and Watford worth a total of £1,416
Adam Davy
On the book, William Collins publishing director Arabella Pike said: “Keir Starmer will go back to his early life to trace the origins of his politics and the influences that have shaped him as a leader.
“It will make a fierce argument for the vital role of respect and integrity in political life as he sets out his vision for Britain’s future. We are delighted and excited to be publishing.”
The sum of money, which Sir Keir pledged to donate to charitable causes, was declared a day late, the inquiry found.
While royalties for two legal books published before the Sir Keir became an MP were also delayed.
Elsewhere, the Labour Party leader, who is also an avid Arsenal fan, failed to register in time a director’s box for two people at the Gunners’ match against Crystal Palace on April 4.
Sir Keir was also found to have breached the code of conduct after failing to declare tickets gifted to staff by Just Eat
Just Eat
Arsenal lost the match at Selhurst Park 3-0, while Sir Keir didn’t register the tickets until May 5, more than a month after the match.
The tickets were worth a total of £720, the inquiry found.
It wasn’t the only Arsenal match tickets that Sir Keir failed to register in time, with the away game at Watford on March 6 also flagged in the inquiry.
Sir Keir received four tickets for the match at Vicarage Road worth a total of £1,416.
But the Labour leader did not register the tickets until May 6.
Arsenal won the game 3-0, thanks to goals from Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
Sir Keir was also found to have breached the code of conduct after failing to declare tickets gifted to staff by Just Eat.
The food delivery firm gave the tickets for the Taste of London festival and the British Kebab awards.
The donations from the company exceeded the £300 limit for registration on October 29 but were not declared until December 23, the inquiry found.
