Could Starmer

Keir Starmer under investigation over earnings

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is set to be investigated by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards over claims he may have breached earnings and gifts rules.

Sir Keir told reporters this morning that “there’s no problem here”.

Speaking on the by-election campaign trail in Wakefield, the Labour leader said the probe was not a surprise and that his “office is dealing with it and will be replying in due course.”

When quizzed over whether he was certain there had been no breaches, Sir Keir said he was: “Absolutely confident, there’s no problem here.”

According to the Commissioner’s website the probe was launched on 8 June. 

The two areas subject to the probe are listed as follows: “Registration of interests under Category 1 of the Guide to the Rules (Employment and earnings).”

“Registration of interests under Category 3 of the Guide to the Rules (Gifts, benefits and hospitality from UK sources).”

A spokesperson for the leader of the opposition has now officially responded to news of the probe, stating that: “Keir Starmer takes his declaration responsibilities very seriously and has already apologised for the fact that administrative errors in his office have led to a small number of late declarations.

“The Standards Commissioner has asked for more information which we are happy to provide,” they went on.

More to follow