Sir Keir Starmer orders Labour MP to take responsibilities seriously over claims of unsafe children’s home

PM wades into row

Sir Keir Starmer has ordered Labour MP Jas Athwal to take his "responsibilities seriously" amid claims that he is the landlord of a failing children’s home. The Prime Minister waded into the row after claims that Athwal owns a property housing an unsafe private care home where children have been left at risk of exploitation and a child went missing.

Allegations and connections

Jas Athwal is reportedly friends with Daljit Johal, whose firm Heartwood Care Group saw a six-fold funding boost from an East London council after Athwal became its leader. An Ofsted probe this year found "serious and widespread failures" at the home.

Response and clarification

Sir Keir Starmer stated, "I would expect anyone in a situation like that to take their responsibilities seriously." In response, Athwal mentioned that there was no "conflict of interest" in the leasing of the property and that he has no further commercial relationship with the tenant beyond leasing the property. Heartwood Care Group also clarified that most of the services provided to Redbridge Council were not related to the care home in question.