HomeBusinessRayner promised 'nothing in return' to a rich donor Achi-News

Rayner promised ‘nothing in return’ to a rich donor Achi-News

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Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.

But the SNP accused the party of “living a life of luxury” while robbing pensioners of their winter fuel payment.


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In her interview, Ms Rayner said she understood why people were “frustrated” and “angry” about senior party officials taking thousands of pounds in gifts.

The row over freebies – including tickets for football matches and pop concerts – threatens to overshadow a gathering of the party faithful in Liverpool.

Many of the donations come from media mogul Lord Waheed Alli.

He has given free clothes to seven cabinet ministers including Ms Rayner and Sir Keir Starmer.

Initially, the First Minister failed to declare the clothes correctly, worth £16,200 to him and £5,000 to his wife.

In an attempt to draw a line under the row, the party promised on Friday that Sir Keir, Ms Rayner and Chancellor Rachel Reeves would no longer receive any free clothes.

The Sunday Times reported that Ms Rayner had booked a five-day stay at Lord Alli’s New York flat for the new year but did not include the fact that her friend Sam Tarry had stayed with her.

Asked why she stayed in the flat for free, she told the BBC: “As friends do, a friend allowed me to stay . . . people stay in other people’s flats.”

Ms Rayner said: “MPs have been receiving donations for years. But it’s important to be transparent about it.

“I get that people are frustrated especially the circumstances we are in but gifts for gifts and hospitality and financial gifts have been a feature of our politics for a long time.

“People can look at it and see what people have received donations for and transparency is very important.”

He then went on to add: “We have a system at the moment that says if you get gifts they have to be declared, and the rules have to apply to everyone. ”

Meanwhile, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson defended using money from Lord Alli to fund a reception to mark her 40th birthday. It was “in a working context” with guests including journalists and trade unionists and “educational people”.

SNP MP Kirsty Blackman said: “People are understandably angry that Sir Keir Starmer and Labor ministers have been throwing birthday parties and lining their pockets with around £800,000 of freebies and lavish gifts, while that ordinary families face the pain of damaging the austerity of the Labor government. cuts.

“While Labor is robbing pensioners of their Winter Fuel Payments, and pushing thousands of Scottish children into poverty with their child benefit cap and bedroom tax, Sir Keir and his Cabinet ministers are living a life of luxury – dressed in designer clothes for free. , enjoying lavish holidays, Taylor Swift gigs, and thousands of pounds of hospitality.

“It makes them look completely out of touch, and shows that it’s one rule for them and another for the rest of us – strictness for you but not for me.”

Tory frontbencher Paul Holmes said: “As the Labor Party Conference begins after less than 12 weeks in power, Keir Starmer’s Government is mired in scandal and controversy, showing that they are the only change What he offers is a change of clothes.”

In her speech, Ms Rayner told delegates that the UK Government’s Employment Rights Bill will be introduced to Parliament next month. He described it as “historic legislation” which will “make work safer” and “ensure rights are enforced and trade unions are strengthened”.


(Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
source link https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24601608.rayner-promised-nothing-return-wealthy-donor/?ref=rss

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