Former Conservative MP Jake Berry has branded Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria as “grifters” amid a growing controversy over undeclared clothing donations.
Speaking to GB News, Berry criticised the couple’s acceptance of gifts despite their combined income of £200,000 and free accommodation at 10 Downing Street.
“It’s double standards and hypocrisy writ large across this Labour Party,” Berry said.
The row centres on allegations that Sir Keir broke parliamentary rules by failing to declare clothing and personal shopper services gifted to Lady Starmer by Labour donor Lord Waheed Alli within the required 28-day timeframe.
Jake Berry hit out at Keir Starmer on GB News
PA / GB NEWS
According to The Sunday Times, Sir Keir approached parliamentary authorities last Tuesday to make a late declaration after receiving updated advice on what needed to be registered.
The gifts reportedly covered the cost of a personal shopper, clothes and alterations for Lady Starmer both before and after Labour’s election win in July.
MPs are required to register gifts and donations within 28 days under parliamentary rules.
The Conservatives have written to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner, calling for an investigation into Sir Keir’s “failure to declare” the donations.
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This controversy follows a recent row over Lord Alli being granted a Downing Street security pass without an official government role.
Sir Keir Starmer has defended his actions, insisting that “rules are being followed” regarding the declarations.
Sir Keir Starmer and Wife VictoriaGetty
“It’s very important to me that the rules are followed,” he told reporters in Rome.
The Prime Minister explained that his team had “reached out for advice on what declaration should be made” shortly after the election.
“They then sought out for further advice more recently, as a result of which they made the relevant declarations,” Sir Keir added.
He emphasised the importance of transparency, stating: “It is very important that you and others can see the rules are being followed.”
The matter was discussed on GB News
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Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also defended the Prime Minister, asserting that “donations are always declared in the proper way”.
Conservative MP Andrew Griffith has demanded a full investigation into the scandal, calling it “not the first instance of the prime minister failing to declare donations”.
Griffith criticised Sir Keir’s acceptance of gifts, stating: “It beggars belief that the prime minister thinks it’s acceptable that pensioners on £13,000 a year can afford to heat their home when he earns 12 times that but apparently can’t afford to clothe himself or his wife.”
Jake Berry echoed these sentiments, accusing the Starmers of wanting “all the freebies” while denying pensioners £200 in benefits.
“He and his wife are a pair of grifters squatting in Number 10,” Berry told GB News.