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Sir Keir Starmer has received substantially more freebies than any other MP since becoming Labour leader, Sky News can reveal.
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.
The prime minister received two-and-a-half times more gifts and hospitality than the next MP, according to a league table compiled as part of Sky News’ Westminster Accounts project – which traces how money flows through our political system.
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Since December 2019, he received £107,145 in gifts, benefits, and hospitality – a specific category in parliament’s register of MPs’ interests.
The next highest in the league table is the Commons leader Lucy Powell on £40,289, while the prime minister received gifts roughly equivalent to the next five MPs combined.
The table does not account for those who received help with legal fees.
‘It’s nuts’
One member of the government called the situation “nuts” and said the freebies “should be banned”.
Sky News has also learnt that officials are warning the prime minister could be opening himself up to inappropriate lobbying by saying he will continue to accept football tickets.
Read more:
Westminster Accounts: How to explore the database for yourself
Westminster Accounts: Search for your MP
Ministers are usually told to avoid hospitality from any organisation connected to an ongoing government regulatory decision, and the future of a football regulator is under consideration at the moment.
The Premier League is one of the biggest donors of hospitality, and Sir Keir – a renowned Arsenal fan – has received almost £40,000 in tickets overall since December 2019.
The Premier League, which is lobbying against a football regulator, declared £12,588 of gifts to Sir Keir; including four Taylor Swift…
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