Keir Starmer is under investigation over alleged breaches of rules on earnings and gifts.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards is looking into the potential breaches of two sections of the MPs' code of conduct, which relate to registering interests.
Sir Keir is confident has not broken the rules. A Labour source cited by the PA news agency says the investigation is looking at slightly late declarations.
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The investigation, launched last Wednesday, is looking at the registration of interests under the employment and earnings section and a possible breach of the Code's section about benefits and hospitality from UK sources.
Speaking in Wakefield in West Yorkshire, today the Labour leader told broadcasters the allegations are not a surprise, adding: “My office is dealing with it and will be replying in due course.”
Asked if he is sure he has done nothing wrong, he said: “Absolutely confident, there’s no problem here.”
The allegations relate to the section of the MPs’ code which states: “Members shall fulfil conscientiously the requirements of the House in respect of the registration of interests in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests.
“They shall always be open and frank in drawing attention to any relevant interest in any proceeding of the House or its committees, and in any communications with ministers, members, public officials or public office holders.”
The nature of the alleged breaches is not yet clear.
Rules employment and earnings state MPs must register payments of more than £100 which they receive for work outside the Commons. They must also register benefits worth more than £300, or multiple benefits from the same source if they are worth more than £300 together in one year.
The register shows that, as of the end of May, Sir Keir had registered earnings of £17,598.60 for legal advice given before 2020, the year in which he became the Opposition leader. The lawyer and Holborn and St Pancras MP received the sum on August 24 last year for around 70 hours of work, before registering it seven days later.
Two copyright payments for books written before his election to Parliament in the London constituency of Holborn and St Pancras are also included, as is a £18,450 advance from publisher HarperCollins for a book he is writing.
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