UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Labour says PM Sir Keir Starmer’s 2020 leadership campaign paid chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, clarifying his salary didn’t come from Labour Together.
As reported by The Guardian, Labour confirmed Keir Starmer paid Morgan McSweeney’s 2020 salary after fresh Tory attacks.
From 2017 to 2020, Morgan McSweeney led Labour Together, a group created to prevent splits in the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn. Following Mr Corbyn’s January 2020 resignation, Mr McSweeney managed Keir Starmer’s campaign for Labour leader.
Records from Companies House indicate Mr McSweeney remained Labour Together director until April 2020, after which he joined Mr Starmer as a senior aide in opposition and later in government.
What did Kevin Hollinrake say about McSweeney’s role in the Keir Starmer campaign?
Keir Starmer faces Tory pressure over potential non-declaration of Labour Together backing for 2020 campaign.
The Conservative chair, Kevin Hollinrake, argued that Morgan McSweeney’s role in Mr Starmer’s leadership bid needed to be declared as a donation from Labour Together, calling for a parliamentary investigation.
He said,
“We believe there is a strong public interest in revealing the full truth to the public about possible criminal wrongdoing.”
Mr Hollinrake stated,
“The prime minister was elected on a pledge to restore honesty and integrity in politics, but time and again he has deceived the public and put his party before our national interest.”
He said,
“Donations or support in kind to MPs from members’ associations must be declared – yet ‘nothing to see here Keir’ completely failed to do so.”
Mr Hollinrake added,
“Nothing-to-see-here’ Keir may be too weak to fire a chief of staff who tells him what to think, but Conservatives believe the public deserves the truth.”
Last week, he wrote to the Electoral Commission calling for a fresh probe into Labour Together’s reporting under Mr McSweeney.
What did Labour say about McSweeney’s salary and its source?
Labour clarified that Morgan McSweeney’s salary came from Keir Starmer’s 2020 leadership campaign, negating any need for declaration as a donation.
A Labour source added,
“Morgan’s salary was paid for by Keir’s leadership campaign for the duration of the campaign, not Labour Together. Neither Keir nor his leadership campaign accepted monetary or in-kind donations from Labour Together during the leadership election.”
What did the leaked email reveal about Labour Together’s handling of donations?
Last week, Conservatives released a leaked email from Labour lawyer Gerald Shamash, urging Labour Together to be “as transparent as possible.”
He added that there was
“no easy way to explain how Labour Together finds itself in this situation”,
and that
“if Labour Together cannot deal substantively with questions I pose then perhaps [it is] simply best to base our case as to the non-reporting down as admin error.”
The claim followed Mr McSweeney’s statement that Labour Together was advised by the Electoral Commission in 2018 not to declare its donations. Mr Shamash warned that no record exists of the claimed discussion, contradicting earlier statements.
The Conservatives allege Labour Together cited “administrative errors” as a false excuse.
The Electoral Commission has not relaunched its investigation but is examining recent reports to determine if they affect its initial conclusions. A final judgment is expected before the week’s end.
What did Pat McFadden say about Morgan McSweeney and the attacks on him?
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said Tories were targeting Morgan McSweeney, calling him a “very talented man.”
Mr McFadden, who collaborated with Morgan McSweeney on Labour’s 2024 election strategy, said he has full confidence in the Number 10 chief of staff.
He said,
“I’m not surprised that people opposed to Morgan McSweeney are attacking him because he’s a very talented man.”
Mr McFadden added,
“I worked closely with him in the general election that we fought last year – and I think when opponents attack you like that, it’s because they know you’re a talented person.”
Key facts about Keir Starmer’s leadership and career
Under his leadership, Labour aimed to modernize the party and rebuild its image. He has focused on strengthening party unity and electoral strategy.