Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is facing fresh scrutiny after Conservative MPs accused him of potentially breaching Commons rules over his connection with chief of staff Morgan McSweeney.
The controversy centers on past support from the Labour Together think-tank, which McSweeney previously led, and whether Starmer properly declared it in the official register.
Conservative sources claim the Prime Minister may have failed to uphold the MPs’ code of conduct by not disclosing the assistance he received from Labour Together during his successful bid for the Labour leadership in 2020.
Hidden Donations Spark Debate
Morgan McSweeney is now under fire for reportedly concealing over £700,000 in donations to Labour Together, a group that played a pivotal role in Labour’s election strategy.
The undeclared funds have prompted questions about transparency and the inner workings of the leadership campaign.
Labour Together has long highlighted its involvement in rallying support for Starmer, yet official Commons records show no acknowledgment of this support by the Prime Minister.
Critics argue that this omission raises serious concerns about compliance with parliamentary rules.
Downing Street Stands Firm
Downing Street declined to comment on McSweeney’s time at Labour Together, but a government spokesperson emphasized that Starmer retains “full confidence” in his chief of staff despite the controversy.
The statement did little to quiet Tory criticism, who have been demanding more detailed explanations.
Tories Call for Transparency
Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake has publicly urged the Labour leadership to “come clean” about the support Starmer received during the leadership contest.
Hollinrake described the situation as involving “serious questions” regarding McSweeney’s handling of donations and Starmer’s lack of formal declaration.
He stressed that the Prime Minister must clarify both the nature of the support he received and why it was not transparently recorded, emphasizing the need for accountability in political fundraising.
The Role of Labour Together
Labour Together has openly discussed its role in Starmer’s rise, claiming to have mobilized party members and provided access to valuable polling data to strengthen his campaign.
This support, detailed in a book by journalists Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund, is said to have been worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Under Commons rules, MPs must declare any support over £1,500 that contributes to their candidacy for office.
Labour Together was previously fined £14,250 by the Electoral Commission in September 2021 for more than 20 breaches related to the undeclared £700,000, which the think-tank attributed to “human error.”
Calls for a New Investigation
Following the renewed scrutiny, the Conservatives have urged the Electoral Commission to reopen the investigation and potentially refer the matter to the police.
The call reflects growing pressure for clarity on how donations and support were handled during Starmer’s leadership bid.
A spokesperson for Labour Together said the group had cooperated fully with the earlier probe after McSweeney’s resignation, but the new political spotlight has intensified debate over accountability and transparency in party fundraising.