A viral clip of Keir Starmer lecturing Boris Johnson over the infamous “cash for curtains” scandal has resurfaced, drawing attention as the Labour leader now faces allegations over his own failure to declare gifts from donors.
Reports suggest Starmer’s wife, Victoria, received clothing from Labour donor Lord Alli, which was not initially declared — potentially breaching parliamentary rules.
The resurfaced footage shows Starmer grilling then-PM Johnson in 2021 over allegations that Conservative peer Lord Brownlow paid for the refurbishment of Johnson’s Downing Street flat.
Starmer highlighted concerns about transparency and parliamentary rules at the time, asking if Johnson had declared the £58,000 donation to cover the costs, while accusing the government of being “mired in sleaze, cronyism, and scandal.”
In the viral clip, Starmer presses Johnson over whether any laws were broken, to which Johnson firmly replied, “No, I don’t.” The row, dubbed the “cash for curtains” scandal, stemmed from allegations that Johnson had not fully declared the funding behind his flat’s refurbishment.
Although Johnson was eventually cleared in an inquiry, the investigation found he had acted “unwisely” in failing to ask where the money originated. Johnson later reimbursed Brownlow.
This viral clip now contrasts with Starmer’s own potential breach of parliamentary rules, sparking further controversy and raising questions over the prime minister’s handling of gifts from donors, drawing parallels to the very accusations he once levelled at Johnson.
Ministers have rushed to defend Starmer, but with the video gaining widespread attention, the PM faces an uncomfortable echo of his past criticisms.
You can watch the clip below:
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