Sir Keir Starmer tightens rules on gifts for ministers following Swiftgate controversy

New guidelines set by the Prime Minister

Sir Keir Starmer has strengthened the regulations around ministers and their families accepting gifts in the wake of the Swiftgate scandal. The new code emphasizes that freebies should not be received if they could potentially impact judgment.

Declaration of events and public confidence

Under the updated rules, the senior team can still attend events but must now disclose them on a monthly basis instead of quarterly. They have been urged to consider the public's confidence in political standards when making decisions about accepting gifts.

Swiftgate controversy and new standards

The move comes after Sir Keir and his family were in the spotlight for meeting singer Taylor Swift at a concert where she received a VIP police escort. Additionally, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and London Mayor Sadiq Khan were part of discussions regarding the level of security provided to Swift.

Higher expectations for ministers

Sir Keir Starmer stated that the updated rules establish the elevated standards that the British people anticipate from their leaders. He emphasized the importance of restoring public faith in the government's ability to bring about positive change.

Ethics adviser empowered to investigate

Furthermore, the PM's ethics adviser, Laurie Magnus, now has the authority to launch independent investigations that cannot be vetoed by No10, marking a significant step towards accountability and transparency.