Keir Starmer has sparked a fresh row over political figures accepting lavish free gifts and donations, as a commentator claims the Labour leader has “done nothing wrong”.
The Prime Minister has accepted an array of high-end donations, including free tickets to Taylor Swift and a corporate viewing box at Arsenal Football Club.
Addressing the controversy, Starmer told ITV News that voters would “think I am pretty self-centred” if “I said I’m going in the stands, and you the taxpayer are going to have to pick up the tab for the security”.
He also made it clear that he would “prefer to be in the stands” rather than the box, worth an estimated £8,000 per game to use.
Nana Akua clashed with Rebecca Reid over Keir Starmer accepting ‘freebies’ from donors
GB News
Speaking to GB News, commentator Rebecca Reid claimed that Starmer had done “nothing illegal and nothing wrong” by accepting the donations, and said that the Labour PM “does everything by the book”.
In disagreement with Reid, host Nana Akua argued that Starmer is a “rich man” who “doesn’t need freebies”, and the latest scandal to hit his Government is “not a good look”.
Defending Starmer, Reid told GB News: “We’re talking about freebies they’ve had since 2019. I think the idea that people are suddenly very bothered about this, but they weren’t when Boris Johnson was having his flat redecorated is bizarre.”
Nana interjected Reid, claiming that “many were bothered” by the former Prime Minister’s decision to have his flat redecorated.
The Prime Minister has accepted donations worth over six-figures in total, including over £2,000 in eyewear
PA
When asked by Nana why the narrative towards Starmer is more “liberal” in comparison to the criticism Johnson received, Reid argued that Johnson “failed to declare” the gift, whereas Starmer has “done everything by the book”.
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Reid explained: “That’s what Keir Starmer does – he can be charmless and uncharismatic, but he tends to follow the rules and play things by the book.
“Which is why we have this data, he hasn’t tried to fudge it, he’s been very clear, he hasn’t done anything illegal or wrong. You might not like it, but it’s similar to influencers – they are more important in the grand scheme of things. People want to give important people free things, and that is the system.”
Highlighting the concern for the Prime Minister’s “safety” being the reason why he needs a corporate box for football games, host Ben Leo argued that Starmer “shouldn’t go” if he feels so at risk, fuming: “If it’s eight grand and he can’t keep himself safe, don’t go or pay for it yourself.”
Reid hit back at Ben, exclaiming: “Okay, then Nigel Farage should be doing surgeries in person? It’s the same logic. If you believe that it’s not safe for Nigel Farage to hold surgeries in person, then why would you believe that Keir Starmer should be in the stands in a major football stadium?”
Rebecca Reid argued that partaking in public life is ‘part of Starmer’s job’
GB News
Nana disagreed with Reid’s argument, responding: “Nigel is not having surgeries because he feels unsafe, so with that same logic, Keir Starmer shouldn’t be going to the football. He should make the same judgement that Nigel has made – it’s not safe, so you don’t do it.”
Reid then interjected: “Partaking in public life is part of his job. Does that mean that he can’t go to the supermarket? He can’t go to see his kids on sports days? What level do you want him to not be able to partake in public life?
“It’s a bizarre idea isn’t it, that MPs should just be cloistered and unable to partake in public life. Nigel Farage should have enough security to be able to do in-person surgeries, that’s just common sense, and Keir Starmer should have the right security to be able to partake in life.”
Nana concluded: “You mean for him [Starmer] to go to the football? I think it’s absurd, especially given the optics with the Winter Fuel Payment.”