Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Faces Scrutiny Over Donor Gifts

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has defended her acceptance of donations and gifts from party donors, asserting she has been “open and transparent” about such transactions. Ahead of her keynote speech at the Labour conference, Rayner addressed concerns in an interview with Laura Kuenssberg, stating that she did not believe she had breached any rules, despite accepting hospitality from a wealthy Labour donor during a personal holiday in New York.

Rayner explained her decision to declare the accommodation, which she stayed in for a brief period, stating, “I think I was overly transparent.” She acknowledged that public frustration exists surrounding the issue of donations but remarked that such contributions have long been a part of British political culture.

In a related development, The Sunday Times reported that Rayner did not declare that Sam Tarry, then Ilford South MP, accompanied her during her stay in a luxury apartment owned by Labour peer Waheed Alli. The apartment is valued at $2.5 million, and although Tarry covered his own travel expenses, he benefited from free accommodation. Parliamentary guidelines require MPs to declare foreign trips funded by donors if they relate to “parliamentary or political activities.”

Rayner’s team initially believed there was no requirement to declare the trip since Alli’s primary relationship with Rayner is that of a personal friend. Nonetheless, she reported her stay after consulting parliamentary authorities. Her register of interests was updated to reflect her five-day stay at the apartment between December 29, 2023, and January 2, 2024, valued at approximately £1,250.

Addressing the controversy, Rayner emphasized the importance of transparency in political donations, saying, “People can look up and see what people have had donations for, and the transparency is really important.” She added, “We have a system at the moment that says, if you get donations, they have to be declared, and the rules have to apply to everybody.”

Waheed Alli, who is estimated to have a wealth of £200 million, has donated extensively to the Labour Party, exceeding £500,000 since 2020. His contributions came under scrutiny when it emerged that he purchased clothes for key Labour figures, including Keir Starmer and Victoria, the Prime Minister’s wife.