Sir Keir Starmer has insisted it would “cost the taxpayer a fortune” if he were to watch Arsenal from the stands after it emerged he had accepted thousands of pounds worth of free football tickets.
The prime minister has faced criticism after Sky News’ Westminster Accounts project revealed he had received two-and-a-half times more gifts and hospitality than any other MP, totalling £107,145, since December 2019.
Sir Keir declared £12,588 of gifts from the Premier League; including four Taylor Swift tickets during the election campaign worth £4,000; two Euros finals tickets worth £1,628; and numerous tickets spanning several Arsenal matches adding up to well over £6,000.
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Government officials are worried the prime minister’s willingness to accept hospitality to go to football matches could amount to a conflict of interest given plans to overhaul the sport’s regulator which many clubs oppose.
Asked about his relationship with Arsenal Football Club, Sir Keir said he has attended matches as a season ticketholder for years.
But now he is prime minister, Sir Keir told ITV London the “security advice is that I can’t go to the stands”.
The prime minister added that if he did, it would “cost the taxpayer a fortune” on “additional security”.
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He said: “I’ve been offered tickets elsewhere in the ground where it’s more secure.
“We don’t have to use taxpayer money on additional security. And that’s why I’ve taken the decision that I have.”
Asked if he is worried about the optics of taking so many hospitality tickets, which cost hundreds of pounds each, Sir Keir said he thinks “most people” would agree his argument for doing so is “fair”.
Former Labour MP Harriet Harman has urged Sir Keir to stop trying to “justify” accepting free gifts as it is “making things worse” on the latest episode of Sky News’ Electoral Dysfunction podcast.
The baroness said the row was “out of line” for the prime minister and he should change his approach rather than “doubling down”.
She told the podcast: “You can either double down on it and try and justify it or you can just say it was probably a misstep, if I had my time again I wouldn’t do it and therefore I’m going to auction for charity or something.
“It’s not a hanging offence, but I think doubling down and trying to justify it is making things worse.”
Most of Sir Keir’s gifts and hospitality – £86,708 of the £107,145 – were accepted in the last parliament, but £20,437 was declared in this parliament for accommodation that straddles the two periods.
The biggest donor of gifts and hospitality is Labour peer Waheed Alli, who gave the equivalent of £39,122.
Speaking to regional broadcasters on Thursday, Sir Keir also insisted he is “completely in control” following a row within government over his top adviser’s pay.
The prime minister was asked why chief of staff Sue Gray was getting paid more than him, and told BBC South East: “I’m not going to get into discussions about individual salaries about any members of my staff. I’m sure you wouldn’t expect me to.”
Pressed on whether he had a grip on his team following briefings on the matter, Sir Keir said: “I’m completely in control. I’m focused and every day the message from me to the team is exactly the same, which is we have to deliver.”
