A heated debate took place on GB News between Emma Woolfe and Matthew Laza regarding Prime Minister Keir Starmer's acceptance of gifts and hospitality.
The discussion centred on the estimated £107,145 in tickets, gifts, benefits and hospitality Starmer has received since becoming Labour leader in 2020.
"He doesn't need thousands of pounds of clothing for his wife. He doesn't need free glasses, he doesn't need accommodation paid for. He's been football tickets, concert tickets.
"What is all this really about? I think people are actually quite shocked. I'm not a Labour Party supporter, but I was kind of expecting a bit better from them."
Emma Woolfe fumed at Matthew Laza
GB News
Woolfe interjected: "Can you save the hypocrisy, Matthew?"
Laza said: "I think all these things were taken before he was Prime Minister. That's my understanding anyway."
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Woolfe asked: "What is Lord Ali getting in return? What is he getting in return?
Laza furiously responded: "Nothing, Emma. He's been a, he's been a Labour supporter for 30 years. He's a very actively involved with all levels of the Labour Party.
"For example, you know, he's very close to an MP called Chevron McDonough. It's fully declared."
The controversy surrounding Starmer's gifts has intensified amidst Labour's plans to cut winter fuel payments for pensioners.
Keir Starmer was gifted Taylor Swift tickets
KEIR STARMERNotable donations included Taylor Swift tickets, a corporate box at Arsenal Football Club, and glasses valued at £2,485. Political commentator Emily Hewertson criticised Starmer, stating: "Whilst he's snatching the Winter Fuel Allowance from pensioners, it seems the only difficult decisions he's been making is which £2,000 pair of designer sunglasses to nab from one of his mates."
The Prime Minister defended accepting the gifts, particularly regarding football matches. He told reporters: "If I don't accept a gift of hospitality, I can't go to a game.
"You could say, 'well, bad luck'.... But, you know, never going to an Arsenal game again because I can't accept hospitality is pushing it a bit far."
Matthew Laza defended the PM
GB News
Jess Phillips, a Home Office minister, attempted to downplay the issue, telling Sky News: "I have to say nobody has mentioned it to me and I haven't had a single email about it."
However, the opposition Conservative party has accused Starmer of hypocrisy, particularly as Labour asks ordinary people to tighten their belts.
The Prime Minister, Rayner and Reeves are all understood to have decided they will not take donations to pay for clothes in future.