EXCLUSIVEShould Sir Keir Starmer and his Labour cabinet be allowed to accept freebies? We ask the public what they REALLY think of the government taking gifts

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Britons across the country have blasted Sir Keir Starmer for accepting ‘freebies’ after it emerged that the Prime Minister has received substantially more donations than any other MP since 2019.

The Labour leader is facing a major backlash over the thousands of pounds in gifts he has received, including how he has now accepted a hospitality box to watch his beloved Arsenal play at the Emirates.

Sir Keir and his wife, Lady Victoria Starmer have also been embroiled in a ‘wardrobegate’ scandal over accepting lavish gifts from millionaire businessman Lord Waheed Alli.

The PM insisted that ‘rules are being followed’ after it emerged Lord Alli had bought more than £5,000 for Lady Starmer.

Sir Keir, who has also accepted suits and spectacles worth £18,865 from Lord Alli, was alleged to have broken rules by failing to declare donations of high-end clothing for his wife within a designated time limit.

As the crisis deepened, MailOnline took to the streets to ask the public what they think about Sir Keir accepting an Arsenal box – and accepting £107,000 in gifts since becoming Labour leader, more than two and a half times more than any other MP.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer celebrates an Arsenal goal against Wolves last month. He has accepted a corporate box

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer celebrates an Arsenal goal against Wolves last month. He has accepted a corporate box

Mary Gains, 72, from Newcastle, said: I don't know how he can sleep at night, what a disgrace.'

Mary Gains, 72, from Newcastle, said: I don’t know how he can sleep at night, what a disgrace.’

Sheila Hackett, from Bristol, said: ‘He is getting loads and loads of freebies including his football club, when a lot of people can’t afford to go, it’s awful.

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‘I voted for him on the last election but never again. I would go back to Conservative.’

The 67-year-old added: ‘Since we’ve had the Labour party, we earned £450 a year worse off than we were before they came into power.

‘We haven’t had the budget yet either, so that would be interesting.

‘I think it is wrong. I understand accepting the freebies and I think everybody would accept them.

‘I would ask him, ‘if you are getting all these freebies can we have our winter allowance back please, for the pensioners?

‘Just stop taking freebies, I’d know we all do it but there is a line.’

The Premier League is one of the biggest donors of hospitality and Sir Keir has received almost £40,000 in football tickets. He has accepted numerous tickets for Arsenal manages costing well over £6,000.

Sheila Hackett, from Bristol, said: 'He is getting loads and loads of freebies including his football club, when a lot of people can't afford to go, it's awful.'

Sheila Hackett, from Bristol, said: ‘He is getting loads and loads of freebies including his football club, when a lot of people can’t afford to go, it’s awful.’

John Mather, 70, a retired pipe fitter, said: 'They shouldn't accept freebies. When I was at work, you weren't allowed to accept gifts.'

John Mather, 70, a retired pipe fitter, said: ‘They shouldn’t accept freebies. When I was at work, you weren’t allowed to accept gifts.’

Raymond Stanley, 72, and Lesley Stanley, 74, blasted 'disgusting' Sir Keir Starmer for accepting gits

Raymond Stanley, 72, and Lesley Stanley, 74, blasted ‘disgusting’ Sir Keir Starmer for accepting gits

In Newcastle, John Mather, 70, a retired pipe fitter, said: ‘He’s got a season ticket for Arsenal and they’ve given him that because he’s the PM.

‘They shouldn’t be getting these perks, and for clothes. When I was working, I was allowed work gear for £25 a year and that was it. And that wouldn’t cover my work gear. It’s a disgrace.

‘I think it’s disgusting… it makes me very angry. ‘

Raymond Stanley, a retired engineer, said: It’s disgusting, it’s everything he’s been doing since he’s come in. I voted Labour thinking we’ll get change. It’s disgusting, I wouldn’t vote for them again.

The 72-year-old added: ‘They shouldn’t accept freebies. When I was at work, you weren’t allowed to accept gifts.’

Claire Tait, 44, a full time mother, said: ‘It’s disgusting, especially with the state of the country at the moment. I don’t agree with it at all. I think it’s diabolical really, not right at all. It’s all wrong.’

Sir Keir has defended his decision to accept corporate hospitality from Arsenal, arguing that he can no longer use his normal seats as PM because it would cost the taxpayer more in security.  

Claire Tait, 44, a full time mother, said: 'It's disgusting, especially with the state of the country at the moment.'

Claire Tait, 44, a full time mother, said: ‘It’s disgusting, especially with the state of the country at the moment.’

Lottie Wood, 19, a waitress, said: 'I don't think it's fair. They already have so much going on, it's fair enough to be invited to get a ticket, but I don't think you should get a box.'

Lottie Wood, 19, a waitress, said: ‘I don’t think it’s fair. They already have so much going on, it’s fair enough to be invited to get a ticket, but I don’t think you should get a box.’

Terence Hutchinson, 55, on disability benefits, said: 'They've got so much money, he doesn't need a gift, he can buy whatever he wants.'

Terence Hutchinson, 55, on disability benefits, said: ‘They’ve got so much money, he doesn’t need a gift, he can buy whatever he wants.’

Jacob Canby, 28, research scientist, said: ‘I did see it would cost the taxpayer more for security if he paid for a ticket in the stands, but he shouldn’t be accepting those for free.’

‘I don’t want our system to start looking like America, where lobbyists spend millions and have way more influence over legislation than they should. ‘

Lottie Wood, 19, a waitress, said: ‘I don’t think it’s fair. They already have so much going on, it’s fair enough to be invited to get a ticket, but I don’t think you should get a box. I don’t think singling it out as a Labour issue is fair, but that doesn’t mean it’s just.’

Terence Hutchinson, 55, on disability benefits, said: ‘They’ve got so much money, he doesn’t need a gift, he can buy whatever he wants. I wouldn’t vote for anyone, they’re all the same. That money could go to some good.’

Mary Gains, 72, said: ‘What a disgrace. With the fuel allowance and talking about taking the bus passes off, it will be prescriptions next. 

‘They shouldn’t be accepting. When I worked at the civic centre, you weren’t allowed to take a tip. It’s like a bribe – it’s terrible isn’t it. I don’t know how he can sleep at night, what a disgrace.’

Others were more sympathetic to the PM, including unemployed Bob Taylor, 41, who said: ‘I’m happy for him. He is entitled to have that, and he is the Prime Minister.

Bob Taylor, 41, defended Starmer and said: 'I'm happy for him. He is entitled to have that, and he is the Prime Minister.'

Bob Taylor, 41, defended Starmer and said: ‘I’m happy for him. He is entitled to have that, and he is the Prime Minister.’

‘I think the Tories would’ve probably done the same.

‘I’m an Arsenal fan and If I was in the same position, I would’ve done the same as Starmer, who wouldn’t?

Mr Taylor, from Bristol, added: ‘It’s Arsenal’s venue they can do what they want. I really don’t see why people are frustrated.’

But Kathleen Gibb, 79, said: ‘He should let Arsenal fans who are pensioners have that.

”It’s morally wrong for him to have accepted that.’

On him receiving £100,000 worth of gifts for free, she said: ‘Wow, knowing his past reputation, I am not a bit surprised but that doesn’t make it right though.

‘I think it is wrong he is receiving these gifts. He is in a position that he doesn’t need gifts from anybody.

”If he accepts them he should pass them on but overall he shouldn’t accept them.’




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