‘I don’t have an opinion’: Labour minister Angela Eagle flounders over whether Keir Starmer should pay for his own glasses as she blanks questions in car-crash interview _ Hieuuk
A Labour minister floundered today as she was grilled on whether Keir Starmer should be paying for his own spectacles.
Border security minister Angela Eagle blanked questions over the row about donations to fund the wardrobe of the PM and wife Victoria, insisting she did not ‘have an opinion’.
In a toe-curling interview on Times Radio, Dame Angela accused presenter Stig Abell of ‘ranting’ and said he would have to quiz Sir Keir directly.
Sir Keir defended taking freebies last night as he hinted he would continue accepting lavish gifts – such as high-end clothing – from Labour peer Lord Alli.
Border security minister Angela Eagle blanked questions over the row about donations to fund the wardrobe of the PM and wife Victoria, insisting she did not ‘have an opinion’
Sir Keir (pictured at a London Fashion Week event in Downing Street last night) defended taking freebies as he hinted he would continue accepting lavish gifts
However, there has been a backlash over why the PM, who had a stellar legal career before entering politics, seemingly cannot fun his own clothes despite earning £166,000 a year in Downing Street
Speaking to reporters on a visit to Italy, the PM insisted there was a ‘massive difference between declarations and corruption’ as he faced questions over his alleged failure to register clothing given to Lady Starmer by the multimillionaire businessman within a designated time limit.
The Tories have demanded a probe by Parliament’s watchdog, but according to No10 this has been rejected. Sir Keir argues that he ‘proactively’ inquired whether he should register the donations.
During a round of broadcast interviews this morning, Dame Angela said the PM had been ‘transparent’ and ‘the rules have clearly been followed’.
But Abell said: ‘Why shouldn’t the Prime Minister – he earns 166 grand a year – why shouldn’t he buy his own glasses?’
Dame Angela replied: ‘Well why don’t you ask him?’
The journalist said: ‘Well, he’s not here. You’re here for the government.’
She shot back: ‘I am, but I’m afraid I’m not responsible for decisions the PM makes…’
Abell said: ‘Should he not buy his own glasses? You’re wearing a pair of glasses now you presumably pay for them yourself.
‘I’m wearing a pair of glasses now I pay for them myself. Why shouldn’t the Prime Minister?’
A clearly irate Dame Angela said: ‘Well, the Prime Minister’s had his say on that, and next time you interview him, you could ask him yourself.
In a toe-curling interview on Times Radio, Dame Angela accused presenter Stig Abell of ‘ranting’ and said he would have to quiz Sir Keir directly
The Tories said Labour MPs were ‘not even bothering’ to defend Sir Keir
‘I don’t have an opinion on what the PM does in these instances… ‘
Abell pointed out that deputy PM Angela did have an opinion when Boris Johnson was being supported in similar ways by donors.
He said: ‘You’ve got someone who has a luxury glasses habit, who’s taking money from pensioners.
‘People are going to have an opinion on that.’
Dame Angela said icily: ‘Okay, you’ve had your rant.’
But the presenter insisted: ‘Is that a rant? I’m asking a question.’
