Sir Keir Starmer being investigated over possible breaches of MPs’ rules

It is understood that the investigation relates to the late declaration of interests rather than failure to declare those interests
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Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is being investigated by Parliament’s standards watchdog over potential breaches of rules on earnings and gifts.

According to an update on the website of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Sir Keir is facing a probe under Article 14 of the MPs’ Code of Conduct.

The Code states: “Members shall fulfil conscientiously the requirements of the House in respect of the registration of interests in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. They shall always be open and frank in drawing attention to any relevant interest in any proceeding of the House or its Committees, and in any communications with Ministers, Members, public officials or public office holders.”

The Commissioner’s website highlighted that Sir Keir was being investigated for two potential breaches, one relating to declaring employment and earnings and another relating to gifts, benefits and hospitality from UK sources.

Sir Keir insisted he is confident he has not broken the MPs’ code of conduct, saying “there’s no problem here”.

During a visit to Wakefield ahead of the by-election later this month, the Labour leader told broadcasters the allegations were not a surprise, adding: “My office is dealing with it and will be replying in due course.”

Asked if he was sure he had done nothing wrong, he said: “Absolutely confident, there’s no problem here.”

It is understood that the investigation relates to the late declaration of interests rather than failure to declare those interests.

A spokesman for the Labour leader said: “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.”

News of the probe into Sir Keir comes as he awaits a decision from Durham Police on whether the Labour leader may have breached Covid-19 lockdown regulations when he drank a beer and ate some curry during a campaign visit to the North East last year.

Having attacked Boris Johnson over lockdown busting parties in Downing Street and Whitehall, he has said he will resign if he is fined over ‘beergate’.

The rules on employment and earnings say that MPs must register payments of more than £100 received for work outside the Commons.

Under the section on gifts and hospitality, they must register benefits worth more than £300, or multiple benefits from the same source if they exceed that value in a calendar year.

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