Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting has admitted the use of private jets “shouldn’t be the norm” after Sir Keir Starmer’s Qatar-funded trip to the Middle East.
Speaking on GB News, Streeting defended the Labour leader’s trip, arguing it was necessary in order to meet the Emir of Qatar.
Starmer made a return trip to the kingdom whilst attending the COP28 climate conference held in Dubai.
His latest declaration of financial interests shows the trip for him and three staffers cost £25,508.
Wes Streeting spoke out on Sir Keir Starmer's trip to Qatar
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Camilla Tominey questioned Streeting about whether the Labour leader is a “hypocrite” after he previously refused to travel to Qatar for the World Cup in 2022, citing the country’s human rights record.
“I would draw two distinctions”, he said.
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“This meeting with the Emir of Qatar was about the crisis in Gaza and the crucial role Qatar is playing in terms of hostage release and trying to see a diplomatic exit point from this terrible war, as well as other shared points of mutual interests.
“It’s right we engage with world leaders and there was an opportunity for Keir to do that.”
Questioned whether Starmer should have used a costly private jet in making the trip, Streeting admitted it should not be “the norm”.
“Taking private jets should never be the norm, particularly domestic ones like the Prime Minister has been doing”, he said.
Starmer refused to travel to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup
PA“There was an opportunity that arose for Keir to meet the Emir of Qatar.
“He took that opportunity because if Keir is the Prime Minister of the country after the next general election, we want to be able to work and influence with partners around the world.
“In Britain’s national self interest and also in terms of collective global interests.”
Starmer has been under fire for the trip given his previous vow to curb the use of UK-funded private jets by ministers.
The Labour leader has criticised Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the matter, saying that he has a “private jet habit” in a speech to the party’s autumn conference.
His presence at the COP summit was also subject to scrutiny, with Starmer arguing it was in the “British national interest” for him to attend.
"If there is an election next year that we are privileged enough to win, then it's very important that we go all-out for clean power [in] 2030," he added.
A spokesperson for the Labour leader said: "Keir Starmer was pleased to accept an invitation from His Highness The Emir of Qatar. Their conversation focused on the current crisis in the Middle East."