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Cronyism Allegations: Labour’s Biggest Donor Given Security Pass to Downing Street
Waheed Alli, a Labour peer and media entrepreneur, has been given a security pass to Downing Street, sparking cronyism allegations in the new government. The pass was granted after the general election and was valid until the end of August.
Background
Waheed Alli was made a lord by former prime minister Tony Blair in 1998, at just 34 years old. He was the youngest and first openly gay person in the House of Lords at the time. Alli has donated over £400,000 to Labour and its MPs since 2020, making him one of the party’s biggest donors.
Recent Donations
Over the past year, Alli has made donations to four cabinet ministers, including Prime Minister Starmer, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson. He has also made several gifts to MPs, including a £1.2mn loan to help MP Siobhain McDonagh move house so that her sick sister could be cared for.
Shadows Paymaster General Response
Shadow Paymaster General John Glen MP has responded to the allegations, stating that "Starmer’s sleaze is engulfing this new government". He urged Labour to come clean about the individuals they have parachuted into top civil service jobs and the donors they have returned favours to.
Government Response
A senior government figure claimed that Waheed Alli is a "big part of the election campaign" and a "hugely respected figure". However, they emphasized that he did not participate in any policy or government meetings. Alli has been contacted for comment.
Other Controversies
The news comes amid a growing row around the appointment of Labour donors to civil service roles. Earlier this month, the Labour government faced criticism for hiring Ian Corfield, a former banker and business adviser who made political donations to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, to a senior role in the Treasury. Corfield has since opted to leave the paid government position and take on an unpaid role as a temporary adviser.
Another controversy surrounds the appointment of former consultant Emily Middleton as a director-general in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Middleton was seconded to the Labour party while it was in opposition and had offered secondments worth over £65,000 to the team of Peter Kyle, the shadow technology secretary at the time.
Conclusion
The allegations of cronyism surrounding Waheed Alli’s access to Downing Street have raised questions about the integrity of the Labour government. As the party faces criticism over the appointment of Labour donors to civil service roles, it remains to be seen whether the government will address these concerns.
FAQs
Q: Who is Waheed Alli?
A: Waheed Alli is a Labour peer and media entrepreneur who has donated over £400,000 to Labour and its MPs since 2020.
Q: Why was Waheed Alli given a security pass to Downing Street?
A: The pass was granted after the general election and was valid until the end of August. It is unclear why the pass was granted or what Alli’s role was in organizing an event at Number 10.
Q: What has been the response to the allegations of cronyism?
A: Shadow Paymaster General John Glen MP has responded by stating that "Starmer’s sleaze is engulfing this new government" and urging Labour to come clean about the individuals they have parachuted into top civil service jobs and the donors they have returned favours to.
Q: What other controversies have surrounded Labour’s appointment of donors to civil service roles?
A: Ian Corfield, a former banker and business adviser who made political donations to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, was criticized for being hired to a senior role in the Treasury. He has since opted to leave the paid government position and take on an unpaid role as a temporary adviser.
Author: www.ft.com
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