Sir Keir Starmer beefs up rules for ministers on accepting gifts after Swiftgate row

11/06/2024 04:33 PM

SIR Keir Starmer has beefed up rules for ministers and their families on accepting gifts.

The Prime Minister, caught up in the Taylor Swift tickets row, has brought in a new code stating freebies should not be taken if they could compromise judgment.

His senior team will be still allowed to attend events but will have to declare them monthly, not quarterly.

They were also told to be mindful of the public's confidence in political standards when deciding whether to accept.

The clampdown comes after Sir Keir and his family met singer Taylor at a Wembley concert to which she was given a VIP police escort.

Both the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and London mayor Sadiq Khan were involved in talks over her level of security normally reserved for both royalty and senior politicians.

The PM, wife Victoria and his deputy Angela Rayner also got clothing gifts from wealthy donor Lord Alli.

Sir Keir said that the new rules "sets out the higher standards that the British people expect and that ministers must now follow".

He added: "The British people have lost faith in its ability to change their lives for the better.

"For a long time, they have looked at the conduct of politicians in Westminster and not seen the high standards of public service they expect or deserve."

The PM's ethics adviser Laurie Magnus can also now launch his own investigations — and they cannot be vetoed by No10.