Britain’s top civil servant is being urged to look into the circumstances surrounding the issuance of a No.10 security pass to a prominent Labour donor.
In an unusual turn of events, Lord Alli, a significant supporter of the Labour Party, received the pass shortly after Keir Starmer’s sweeping general election victory on July 4. Lord Alli, who has contributed £500,000 to Labour and covered £16,200 in “work clothing” expenses for the prime minister, was granted the pass within days of the election.
Downing Street sources have indicated to HuffPost UK that the pass was issued on a “temporary” basis and was returned “weeks ago.” However, there remains confusion among senior ministers, with some admitting they have “no idea” why the pass was granted in the first place.
Shadow paymaster general John Glen has now called on Simon Case, the cabinet secretary, to investigate who authorized Lord Alli’s pass, which provided him with unrestricted access to No.10. Glen expressed concern that such a privilege should be reserved for those with a genuine need for access, such as civil servants and special advisers, not for individuals requiring occasional entry. He emphasized that it was “deeply concerning” that a major Labour donor was given such access following substantial cash and non-cash donations to the party.
When questioned about the issue, cabinet minister Pat McFadden offered little clarity. He acknowledged that it is not uncommon for individuals to receive passes to attend political meetings when necessary but noted that Lord Alli no longer holds the pass. McFadden reassured that Lord Alli had not been involved in any governmental decisions and did not hold any policy responsibilities.
McFadden also highlighted Lord Alli’s contributions to the Labour Party, stating that he played an important role in the election campaign and is a “highly respected peer.” He insisted that nothing had been done that conflicted with established rules.
Leave a Reply