Boris Johnson has taken aim at Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer for accepting luxury gifts of clothing and glasses, accusing him of acting “greedy.”
The former Prime Minister criticized Starmer for accepting such items, particularly in light of his successful legal career, implying that Starmer has no need for these freebies.
“Sir Keir must be worth a bob or two,” Johnson remarked, suggesting that Starmer’s past as a top lawyer means he is financially well-off enough to pay for his own suits and spectacles.
Johnson made these comments while defending his government’s controversial awarding of personal protective equipment (PPE) contracts during the COVID-19 pandemic, some of which were given to suppliers with close ties to Conservative ministers.
Speaking on Tuesday, October 8, Johnson jabbed at Starmer’s acceptance of gifts from Labour donor Lord Alli, a wealthy peer. “I have no donors paying for my suits or spectacles,” Johnson declared.
“Who pays for your spectacles? You pay for your spectacles, don’t you? It’s unbelievable,” he added, questioning why Starmer needed anyone to fund his lifestyle when he was already on “a perfectly good salary from the government anyway.”
Johnson continued to push his attack, questioning Starmer’s judgment. “It looks greedy, right?” he said, hinting at corruption if such gifts were rewarded with special access to government.
“If you then give the guy a pass to No 10, that looks corrupt. And so I just don’t get it.” Johnson also mocked Starmer for still wearing the gifted glasses: “Well, apart from the fact he can’t see. He can’t see what a mess he’s making of things,” Johnson quipped.
The attack comes as Johnson faces scrutiny over his own lifestyle, which donors have generously funded. In 2022, Johnson received a donation of nearly £24,000 from JCB boss Anthony Bamford to cover the costs of his wedding to Carrie Symonds.
The donation included a marquee, Portaloos, staff, flowers, a barbecue, and an ice cream van. Bamford’s wife, Carole, also donated luxury food from her business, Daylesford Organic, for the wedding celebration.
Controversial PPE Contracts Spark New Debate
Boris Johnson has faced controversy over other donations as well, including contributions from Lord Brownlow for the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat. This particular donation caused legal trouble, as the Electoral Commission fined the Conservative Party for failing to declare it properly.
In the same interview, Johnson was asked to address the problematic PPE contracts awarded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Transparency International UK, a campaign group, raised concerns over more than 130 contracts that they believe were at risk of corruption. These contracts, worth billions, were awarded to companies with little to no experience but strong ties to Tory ministers.
Recent reports also reveal that £1.4 billion worth of PPE purchased by the government has either been destroyed or written off as unusable. Despite these issues, Johnson defended his government’s actions.
He recalled the “absolute desperation” the country felt in the early days of the pandemic when PPE was in short supply. “We needed that stuff as fast as possible,” Johnson said, apologizing for the questionable nature of some contracts but insisting that speed was essential. “And I think most people really understand that,” he added, explaining the urgency of acquiring protective equipment for frontline workers.
In the face of criticism, Johnson continued to defend his administration’s actions. “I defend the government in trying to get it as fast as possible. And all sorts of crazy people were recommended to us for PPE, but we just had to act as fast as we could.”
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