Jacob Rees-Mogg in tense clash with ex-Labour MP over Keir Starmer clothes row: ‘This is a clear failure!’

But Simon insisted this was not the case as the war of words carried on about the alleged parliamentary rule break which the PM is said to have committed by failing to declare donations of clothing for Lady Starmer within the designated time limit.

“It’s a prize humbug”, said Jacob.

“There is a safe harbour provision within the House of Commons rules. If you don’t know what you’re required to do, you can go to the commissioner.

“You have to do that within the 28 day period. This is a clear failure not just to follow the rules, but the guidance around the rules.

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“For someone so pious, this appears to be serious.”

Simon countered: “You know perfectly well that Keir Starmer was not in the general election thinking, ‘I will declare all the payments to my own clothing but not on my wife’s parents because I need to cover that up’.

“Of course he didn’t think that. He declared all the payments about his own clothing, it just didn’t occur to him that he didn’t declare his wife’s.”

Jacob hit back: “No. He’s the former DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions). The DPP knows that ignorance of the law is no excuse.

“There are criminals up and down the country who will say, ‘I’m sorry officer, I didn’t know that was against the law’.

“That doesn’t stop them going to prison, does it?”

Simon argued that the rules are “arcane” and it’s “not surprising” that it caught Starmer out.

“Are we saying Keir Starmer should be getting up every morning and running through a checklist of what he should and shouldn’t be declaring?”, he asked.

“Obviously he’s got people doing this for him.”

Speaking to reporters in Rome, Italy, Starmer insisted “rules are being followed”.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also defended the Prime Minister, stating that “donations are always declared in the proper way”.

Sir Keir said it was “very important” to him that rules are followed and that “we have transparency”.

He said: “I’ve always said that. I said that before the election, I’ve reinforced it after the election.

“And that’s why, shortly after the election, my team reached out for advice on what declaration should be made, so it’s in accordance with the rules.

“They then sought out for further advice more recently, as a result of which they made the relevant declarations.

“But for me it’s really important that the rules are followed. That’s why I was very pleased my team reached out proactively – not once, but twice – because it is very important that we have transparency, very important that you and others can see the rules are being followed.”