Uncovering Controversy: Did Starmer Hide Support from Labour Together?

The Conservative Party has demanded an inquiry into allegations that Sir Keir Starmer failed to disclose support from Labour Together during his leadership campaign in 2020. Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake has submitted a letter to Parliament’s standards commissioner, suggesting that Starmer received polling and speechwriting assistance from Labour Together, which was then led by Morgan McSweeney, who is currently Starmer’s chief of staff.

Despite claims from a Labour source affirming that no financial or in-kind contributions from Labour Together were accepted, Hollinrake argues that public records and information from a book titled Get In reveal that Labour Together provided significant support during Starmer’s bid to succeed Jeremy Corbyn. While Starmer included some supporters from Labour Together in his parliamentary register, he did not declare any donations from the organization, which Hollinrake perceives as a potential cover-up.

Downing Street has stated that everything was properly declared during the election, while Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook labeled the accusations as mere political mudslinging aimed at maintaining Conservative relevance. He expressed confidence that any inquiry would clear Starmer of wrongdoing, maintaining that all aspects were declared correctly.

This latest call for inquiry follows previous controversies related to donations and the Electoral Commission, which had previously fined Labour Together over its handling of nearly £740,000 in donations. Recent reports allege leaked emails indicating McSweeney may have attempted to mislead regulators, raising further questions about transparency within the organization. In response, Labour Together emphasized its cooperation with past investigations and its commitment to compliance with Electoral Commission regulations.