Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the UK’s Labour Party, has come under scrutiny following a recent trip to Qatar. Parliamentary records reveal that his journey was facilitated by a private jet funded by Qatar. This trip coincided with his attendance at the COP28 climate conference in Dubai.
The financial declaration indicates the total cost of the trip for Sir Keir and three accompanying staff members amounted to £25,508. Additionally, the organizers of COP28 covered £765 for car travel during the conference.
A spokesperson for the Labour leader stated that Sir Keir was honored to accept an invitation from the Emir of Qatar. The meeting predominantly focused on the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. Sir Keir has been vocal about attending the COP summit, hosted by the United Arab Emirates in Dubai, in his role as the leader of the Labour Party. He justified his attendance as a non-governmental figure, citing it as being in the British national interest.
During his visit, Sir Keir engaged in discussions with the Emir of Qatar in Doha, addressing the situation in Gaza and the essential cooperation between Qatar and the UK. His latest financial declaration reveals that the Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs funded his return journey from Dubai.
While the specific details of the private jet, including its type and owner, remain undisclosed, this development might pose a challenge for Sir Keir. Labour has previously pledged to limit the use of UK-funded private jets by ministers on official trips as a cost-saving measure for British taxpayers. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves has even criticized Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for his frequent use of private jets.
Although Sir Keir’s trip was not financed by British taxpayers, it could still attract criticism from climate campaigners, especially considering Mr. Sunak’s prior scrutiny for using private planes for environmental reasons. The direct flight from Dubai to Doha is typically around an hour and a half, with regular commercial services available between the two cities.
