The prime minister has come under fire when it was discovered by News’ Westminster Accounts project that, since December 2019, he has received £107,145 in gifts and hospitality—2.5 times more than any other MP.
Sir Keir reported receiving £12,588 in gifts from the Premier League, which included four £4,000 tickets to see Taylor Swift during the election campaign, two £1,628 tickets to the Euro Finals, and many tickets to see Arsenal play, totaling well over £6,000.
Given plans to revamp the sport’s regulator, which many clubs reject, government officials are concerned that the prime minister’s readiness to accept hospitality to attend football matches could amount to a conflict of interest.
When asked about his connection to the Arsenal Football Club, Sir Keir said that he has long held season tickets and attended games.
Nevertheless, Sir Keir stated to TV that his “security advice is that I can’t go to the stands” since he became prime minister.
When asked whether accepting so many expensive, 300-pound hospitality tickets concerned him strategically, Sir Keir said that he believed “most people” would accept his “fair” justification.
