PM's battle to join dots in donor row

SIR Keir Starmer has insisted he did follow the rules around declaring gifts - after he was accused of "rank hypocrisy" for accepting £5,000 in free clothes.

- Katie Harris

Labour donor Lord Alli gave the freebie to the PM's wife Victoria as well as paying for a personal shopper.

Sir Keir has been accused of hypocrisy by Tories after he slammed Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie for accepting a £58,000 donation to renovate the Downing Street flat in 2021.

Addressing the Commons three years ago, he said: "The PM will be aware he is required to declare any benefits that relate to political activities including loans or credit arrangements within 28 days.

Declared

"He will also know any donation must be recorded in the register of ministers' interests and that under the law any donation of £500 to a political party must be registered and declared. So the rules are very clear."