Conservatives report Keir Starmer over Lisa Nandy 'cronyism' scandal

The Prime Minister should be investigated by the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards for potential breaches of the Ministerial Code, the Tories have said.

Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Alex Burghart has written to Sir Laurie Magnus over Labour's "new cronyism scandal".

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy was found by a probe to have breached the code on public appointments by failing to declare she had received donations from her pick to chair the new football watchdog.

In a letter to Sir Keir Starmer, she apologised for "unknowingly" breaking the rules by not disclosing that David Kogan had given £2,900 to her leadership campaign in the 2020 race to succeed Jeremy Corbyn.

Mr Burghart said: "This week Keir Starmer let Lisa Nandy off the hook for her failure to declare a clear conflict of interest when she appointed David Kogan - one of her donors - as head of the new football regulator.

"Starmer has the exact same conflict, having also secretly taken Kogan's cash. Yet whereas Nandy eventually recused herself from matters relating to the regulator's leadership, Starmer has not done so. In fact, it seems he may even have driven the appointment."

The Tories said that Sir Keir excused Ms Nandy for this "serious failure" and welcomed the fact she recused herself from the appointments process when the "perception of a conflict of interest" became clear.

The Tories claim that Mr Kogan also donated to Sir Keir's leadership campaign at the same time as to Ms Nandy.

Yet Sir Keir did not recuse himself from the appointments process or from judgment on Nandy's failure to declare her conflict of interest.

Mr Burghart said: "The whole thing stinks, and Labour are scrambling to cover it up now we have shone a light on it. The appointment of David Kogan must be immediately withdrawn, and the Independent Adviser must investigate Starmer and, if he has breached the Ministerial Code, take appropriate action."

Ms Nandy told the Prime Minister: "The commissioner's conclusions include a finding that I unknowingly breached an aspect of the Governance Code on Public Appointments. I deeply regret this error. I appreciate the perception it could create, but it was not deliberate, and I apologise for it."

She said she welcomed "the clear recognition that I did not know about two donations", and that as soon as she found out about them in June, she "chose to declare them and recuse myself" from the appointment process.

"I want to assure you that I took robust steps before the process began to check the Electoral Commission and Parliamentary register for any donations I had received since I became a Member of Parliament in 2010, and made proactive inquiries with former campaign staff. None of these clear steps identified the donations in question."

In a written response to Ms Nandy's apology, the Prime Minister said: "I note the commissioner's findings that the error was unknowing and I accept your assurance there was no intentional or deliberate action on your part to undermine the expectations set out in the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

"I know you to be a person of integrity, and on the basis of your letter, it is clear you have acted in good faith."

He added: "Nonetheless, the process followed was not entirely up to the standard expected, and I welcome your department's willingness to co-operate with the commissioner and the Cabinet Office to learn lessons and to improve the guidance on handling conflicts of interest.

"I also recognise that the report in no way casts any doubt on the suitability of Mr Kogan for the important role of chair of the Independent Football Regulator."