Keir Starmer is urged to ‘come clean’ over who paid for a series of statement dresses worn by his wife Lady Victoria_l
Sir Keir Starmer was last night urged to ‘come clean’ over who paid for a series of statement dresses worn by his wife Victoria.
As the ‘Wardrobegate’ backlash raged, the Tories said the Prime Minister ‘owes it to pensioners’ to be honest about who is funding the outfits.
No 10 refused to say who had bought a number of Lady Starmer’s dresses, although it insisted that everything has been declared as required.
Sir Keir said before the election that his wife ‘doesn’t want to push herself into the limelight’, but she has worn a number of designer dresses at high-profile events in recent weeks.
Some items were loaned to her, but No 10 yesterday refused to clarify whether the other outfits were part of a £5,000 gift of high-end clothes from Labour donor Lord Alli.
Sir Keir, who earns more than £166,000 a year as PM, was accused of failing to declare on time the donation from Lord Alli, the former chairman of the online fashion retailer ASOS.
Sir Keir said before the election that his wife ‘doesn’t want to push herself into the limelight’, but she has worn a number of designer dresses at high-profile events in recent weeks – Sir Keir pictured here with Lady Victoria following his general election victory
Lady Starmer was absent from the No10 reception on Monday night despite having attended a separate London Fashion Week event in central London earlier in the day
The PM’s wife wore a polka dot Edeline Lee top and trouser ensemble and navy jacket to the brand’s catwalk show
Lord Alli, who was already at the centre of a No 10 access scandal, has also given Sir Keir suits and spectacles worth some £18,000.
Last night a Tory source said: ‘Labour must come clean on just who is paying for Lady Victoria’s outfits.
‘They owe it to the millions of pensioners who Labour have been left choosing between heating and eating to be honest about their choices if the millionaire Starmers are having to get donor handouts to pay for their outfits.
‘Let’s hope every time the Starmers open their wardrobe they remember what’s inside could have heated a pensioner’s home for an entire year.’
Yesterday, a Labour minister floundered as she was grilled on the row – insisting she did not ‘have an opinion’ on whether Sir Keir should pay for his own spectacles.
The Tories said the Prime Minister ‘owes it to pensioners’ to be honest about who is funding the outfits. The Prime Minister and his wife Victoria board a plane at Stansted Airport in Essex as they head to Washington DC to attend a Nato summit
In a toe-curling interview on Times Radio, Home Office minister Dame Angela Eagle said presenter Stig Abell would have to quiz Sir Keir about the issue directly.
Dame Angela said the PM had been ‘transparent’ and ‘the rules have clearly been followed’, but when pressed said she was ‘not responsible for decisions the PM makes’.
Mr Abell then asked: ‘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?’
But an irate Dame Angela responded: ‘Well, the Prime Minister has had his say on that, and next time you interview him, you could ask him yourself. I don’t have an opinion on what the PM does in these instances.’
Lady Starmer’s statement dresses:
Lady in Red: Victoria wears an Edeline Lee red ‘Dada’ dress, worth £1,200, worn at the Labour Party conference last October on the occasion of her husband’s speech.
What the designer says: ‘She has only ever loaned from the brand.’
What Number 10 says: No comment.
Winner: At No.10 after the election. Me+Em midi dress, £275, and Russell & Bromley ‘Snipped’ slingbacks, £275.
What the designers say: Me+Em: ‘The dresses were not loans.’ Russell & Bromley: ‘She may have purchased them.’
What Number 10 says: No comment.
Fashion stakes: Sandown Park Racecourse on July 6. Me+Em green flower print ‘Lantana’ maxi dress, £325.
What the designer says: ‘The dresses were not loans.’
What Number 10 says: No comment.
White House visit: In Washington DC on July 9. Needle & Thread white lace knit dress, £450.
What the designer says: ‘Our press office didn’t loan the style so we believe Lady Starmer purchased this dress.’
What Number 10 says: No comment.
Spot difference: Front row at London Fashion Week on Monday. Edeline Lee polka dot trousers, blouse, white court shoes and navy Edeline ‘Tammy’ jacket, £1,200.
What the designer says: ‘She has only ever loaned from the brand.’
What Number 10 says: The items were loaned.
