London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Ex-PM Boris Johnson said that Keir Starmer’s decision to accept clothing freebies “looks greedy.”
The former prime minister condemned his Labour successor’s decision to accept gifts of clothing and glasses, expressing Starmer “must be worth a bob or two” as a result of his lawful career. Johnson made the comments as he defended his government’s decision to grant contracts for personal protective equipment (PPE) to unsuspecting suppliers during the Covid pandemic, some of which had close relations with ministers.
What are Boris Johnson’s views on Starmer’s free spectacles?
Speaking to LBC the ex-PM stated: “I want you to know, I have no donors paying for my suits. Or spectacles. Who pays for your spectacles? You pay for your spectacles, don’t you? It’s unbelievable. I mean, the guy (Sir Keir), he’s a silk, right? I mean, he must be worth a bob or two. Why has he got some guy paying for his spectacles?”
Johnson was questioned why Starmer had received lavish gifts from the Labour peer and donor. He answered: “You know, that looks greedy, right? But if you then give the guy a pass to No 10, that looks corrupt. And so I just don’t get it. I don’t know why he’s still wearing those spectacles.
Well, apart from the fact he can’t see. He can’t see what a mess he’s making of things.”
What role did conservative donors play in johnson’s lifestyle?
Boris Johnson has also received numerous grants towards his lifestyle. He received a gift worth £23,853 from the longtime Conservative benefactor, the JCB boss Anthony Bamford, towards his marriage to Carrie Symonds in 2022. The donation covered the expense of hiring a marquee, Portaloos, waiting staff, flowers, a South African barbecue and an ice-cream van.
Bamford’s wife, Carole, also granted luxury food from her business, Daylesford Organic, to the ex-prime minister.
He also notoriously accepted contributions from Lord Brownlow towards the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat – the Electoral Commission ultimately fined the Tory party over the gift as it was not declared properly.