Official UK government announcements or press releases

UK PM Keir Starmer Repays £6,000 of Gifts Including Taylor Swift Tickets, 5% of £107k Total

Oct 2, 2024, 04:46 PM

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has repaid over £6,000 worth of gifts and hospitality received since entering Number 10 Downing Street, following a controversy over ministerial donations. The repaid amount represents approximately 5.5% of the £107,145 worth of gifts he has accepted since December 2019. The gifts included six tickets to Taylor Swift concerts, four tickets to the races, and a clothing rental agreement with designer Edeline Lee for his wife, Victoria Starmer. The decision to repay these items comes amid criticism regarding the acceptance of freebies and donations during his tenure as Prime Minister. Additionally, Starmer has commissioned a new set of principles on gifts and hospitality to guide ministers in the future.